Psalm 56:1-4 ” Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, Whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? “

Psalm 56 has the characteristics of both a lament & a psalm of confidence. Here within these first few verses David expresses both fear & faith…trouble & trust…horror & hope…with faith prevailing in the end. Anxiety & fear will visit all of us at one time or another, so our response to it is important. David writes, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” First, he not only acknowledges the cause of all his distress, but then addresses the elephant in the room…”I’m really afraid & anxious right now God!” But rather than wallowing in the fear, David makes a conscious decision of the will and determines to trust in God for his deliverance. That’s because faith must be exercised in times of fear…and when it’s applied, the result is the resolve to trust…which overcomes any fear.

Author: kezha1

A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ. View all posts by kezha1