Psalm 56 was written when David escaped from Saul to Gath, a city of the Philistines (1 Samuel 21). He also wrote Psalm 22 at the same time. Last week we talked about how Saul wanted to kill David and so chased him around the countryside. One of those escapes was to Nob, where David had retrieved the Sword of Goliath, a Philistine giant he had killed. It seems a little odd to me that David would take that particular sword, which must have been awfully difficult to hide, and ride into a city of the Philistines—but such was his desire to get out of Israel.
While in Gath the Philistines recognized David as a warrior and their enemy. He actually had to feign madness to keep them from killing him. While Psalm 22 is a plea to God to not forsake him, and describes David’s terror at those who surrounded them, Psalm 56 is a much more faithful psalm about trust in the Lord for his deliverance.
1 – 4
David is probably describing the servants of Gath’s King who surrounded him and said he was an Israeli warrior who had killed “tens of thousands” of Philistines. It says after this David became “very afraid”. I wonder if they started shoving him and might have killed him on the spot had he not employed those lessons he learned in drama school J to act like a crazy man.
He “scribbled on the doors … and let saliva drip down his beard.” He probably acted like a person with bipolar disorder.
But notice here that David right away says these most incredible words: “When I am afraid I will trust in You.” Fear seems to create in us a fight or flight response. But to someone who belongs to Yahweh, fear can give birth to trust and tranquility in God. And notice too the last words of verse 4 (which will be repeated later in a responsive format) “…in God I trust, I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
This is someone who is so secure in his relationship with God that he knows if man kills him, God will still have him.
Jesus echoed this idea:
Matthew 10:28-31 Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's consent. 30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 Don't be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.
5 – 7
Not only was David in danger but his words were being twisted. The word “twist” comes from a Hebrew root word that means “to carve.” The idea is that they fashioned words for David out of whole cloth—creating lies. Not only that but their thoughts are always desiring to do him harm. They are watching for a time to kill David.
David is not just worried about the Philistines, but about Saul’s men who are also chasing him. David knows this is sinful and desires for God to bring about retribution.
Now he turns to asking God to remember where he has gone in running from Saul and the anguish of heart it has caused it.
8 – 9
Isn’t this wonderful? No matter where you wander, no matter how many tears you shed, God knows every step—like a heavenly GPS, and has stored up every tear in a bottle. He knows that at the right time, God will relieve him from those who are chasing him—and then this great statement: “This I know: God is for me.” Can you say that in your life? I hope so.
So then verses 10 and 11 repeats verse 4.
10 – 11
The difference from verse 4 is the addition of “in the Lord, whose word I praise.” That word: LORD, is Yahweh—God’s covenant name for himself. God has said he will bless David and make him king. God has promised to bless the nations from Israel. David knows that he is to lead these people and thus fulfill God’s plan for his life—and there is nothing that can stop it—nothing! This is also true for us. No matter the size of our enemy, God is bigger. No matter how small and weak we feel, God is able to do His will through us.
12 – 13
David is rejoicing that no matter what he feels now, he will return to Jerusalem, perform sacrifices and bring praise to God alive!
Philippians 1:6-7I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Psalm 57
Psalm 57 and 56 are connected as both occurred as David fled from Saul. Psalm 57’s title says “When he fled before Saul into the cave.” There are two possible occasions for this, 1 Samuel 22:1 and 24:1-3. I’m opting for 1 Samuel 22 because it happened right after David left Gath. He went to “the cave of Adullam” which is only about seven miles away from Gath. There, his whole family met him and the beginnings of his army gathered—4oo men.
1 – 3
I can just picture David, crouching down inside the cave, looking up and around for Saul’s men or the men of Gath to come swooping in any minute. So he calls on God to be his refuge—even more than the cave. You know, we can take steps to protect ourselves—we get insurance, we buckle our seat belts, we try to eat right—but in the end, we must trust in God to be our ultimate refuge.
Notice too that David is aware that God’s protection is so that God can “fulfil His purpose for me.” We cannot lose sight of the fact that we live this life in service to God, not for ourselves only.
I love the picture of God “challenging the one who tramples me” like a big brother protecting his little sister from a bully.
In the midst of this, David realizes that “God’s love and truth” are his.
4 – 6
David had probably seen more than one lion in the region—and perhaps was thinking of one as he described his enemies. In Psalm 55 he personified a city to represent the motives of his enemies. Here he does the same with a lion or a pride of lions to give a concrete picture of humans who want to kill him. But as he trusts in God he knows whatever plot they devise against him will be their own undoing!
7 – 11
Verses 7 through 11 are a wonderful declaration of God’s faithfulness despite our circumstances. David goes back to his roots of worship leading to find confidence and peace in a time of terrible trouble. What a great lesson for us as well.
Sometimes when we are in the midst of a terrible trial, we need, like David, to wake up our soul with praise—get up early, at dawn, and sing the mighty praises of a mighty God who can and will deliver us to do His will!
Psalm 58
In Psalm 58 David is decrying those in places of might—like generals or kings of nations arrayed against Israel—that it is useless trying to hide the fact that you are against God and that no matter how powerful you seem to be, God is more powerful. What a great lesson to us when we face perils in this life.
1 – 2
David may have been thinking about Saul and his minions here. Saul was careful to speak the right words to impress people, but his heart and his actions were far from following God.
3 – 5
David uses several word pictures here to describe them—that their sin nature at birth is what is driving them. He describes their actions like a cobra that cannot be charmed by any truth.
6 – 8
What a graphic picture. David turns to describing lions with their powerful fangs—the power of those in leadership to do harm. David asks that God defang them. Then their venom will be like water on sand, or arrows that fall short of their target. Schemes against God’s plans will never hit their target.
He then describes their actions like a slug who is moving so slowly that it withers to nothing in the hot sun, or like a still-born child—their evil desires will simply vanish.
9 – 11
Thorns were often used as a fuel to heat food and water in pots. This refers to the swiftness of God’s judgment—they will be swept away!
The pictures of washing feet in blood is that the righteous will see God’s judgment against those who seek to kill him.
He finishes off the psalm by declaring that it is okay to serve God—that doing the right thing is the right thing and that God will indeed judge the earth for its wickedness.
Some people have a real hard time with their being a God who judges. It creates a picture of a bad God with His finger about to send lightning bolts down on unsuspecting humans. We need to understand that God does not want to judge anyone.
Ezekiel 33:11 I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel?
But …
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way;
Since God is holy and sin cannot exist in His presence, He makes us fit to exist with Him, which is what He wants, by what happens at the end of verse 6: And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. NKJV
