Psalm 56
Another header in today’s Psalm that clearly indicates the context of David’s writing – see 1 Samuel 21:10-15. David is continuing to flee from Saul, even so far as to seek safety with one of Saul’s enemies, the Philistines.
This I know, that God is for me… in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (vv. 9b, 11) I’ve never been much of a Psalms-reader, but I have never read these verses without affirming my own confidence in serving the Lord. There is no higher calling and no greater reward. Jesus repeats these thoughts in different words from the Sermon on the Mount: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) Fortunately, I’ve never been put to the test at the level where past and current martyrs have suffered for their faith. They need our prayer support, more than we can imagine.