Psalm 56

A weary trust.

Per the title of this song, David has been captured by the Philistines in Gath.  Per study notes, we don't really have a hard historical reference to this event.....the closest we have is the time David fled from Nob to Gath, but when he got there he was recognized and was suspect because of his reputation as a warrior.  He realized that he was in danger, and pretended to be insane in order to escape.  It isn't said that he was captured, but he was in danger.

No matter the details....David is one weary traveler.  Fugitive is more like it.   He's been on the run for a long time, and at every turn he is being watched, reported on, turned on, shot at (arrows!), lied about, and hunted.  His tone in this song sounds so weary to me.  He is tired of running, tired of the constant threat. Day in and day out, his enemy is before and behind him.  Indeed, he flees one enemy only to land in the lap of another!  David is afraid, and rightfully so!

But he recognizes the paralyzing effect of fear, and knows how to deal with it......"Trust in God robs fear of it's power over us." (NKJV study notes).

So, when he is afraid, he will trust in God.  He will not let fear overwhelm  and paralyze him.  His trust is in God who is mightier than any enemy, whose word is true, whose love is steadfast.  In light of God's greatness....any threat from man seems insignificant.  If God is for him, who can stand against him?

When it seems that the evil will never, ever end.......day in and day out they come against him ruthlessly......David knows that God will cast down the enemy in due time.  They will not stand.

He rests in the knowledge that God cares for him as a parent does a child.  God sees his tears, hears his cries for help, knows the distress of his soul, and will deliver.

When he thinks of God....whose word can be trusted, again, the intent of the enemy against him seems far less frightening.  When one trusts in God......what can man do to him?

David vows to offer thanks offerings to the God of his salvation.....who keeps his feet from stumbling so that he can stand before Him......and walk in the light of life.

This Psalm has been such a comfort to me in times of many tears.   My enemies are nothing compared to David.....indeed my enemies are more internal than external.   But God sees,  He knows, He catches my tears in His bottle.....and He will deliver.