“Empowering the abused woman to recover with God's truth"

Psalms 56 Explained!!

Click Reference Link to Read Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

David wrote this psalm in response to his experiences in Gath. He had fled there to escape Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 21:10–15). David pretended to be insane when captured by the Philistines so they would not see him as a threat. The song echoes themes common in Psalms, such as trust in the Lord despite danger and a commitment to praise God for His provision. The song is probably meant to be set to a tune called "The Dove on Far-Off Terebinths." Opening phrases set the tone for the rest of the song. David prays for rescue from the constant threat of his enemies. Despite this, he resolves to respond with trust in the Lord. David asks, rhetorically, what possible danger could earthly men be compared to the power of God (Psalm 56:1–4).

David's enemies act with hate and malice. They have driven him into the wilderness (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 20:1; 23:15). Yet David is confident that God is aware of these struggles. Even further, God is depicted as treasuring David's suffering: symbolically saving all of David's tears. This highlights the biblical teaching that no suffering is purposeless. God sees, knows, and will account for everything in the end. This assurance once again leads David to trust the Lord, giving Him praise (Psalm 56:5–11). The psalm ends with David's commitment to publicly thank God for His deliverance. As he does in other songs (Psalm 3:7–8; 9:5–6; 52:9), David speaks of rescue as if it has already happened. Faith leads David to trust, being fully confident he will once again praise the Lord in safety (Psalm 56:12–13).

Verse Context:

Psalm 56:1–4 sets the tone for the entire psalm. David tells the Lord about his plight: constant assault by his enemies. Yet he meets this trouble with trust in God. Faith triumphs over fear.

Psalm 56:5–11 describes the hateful actions of David's enemies. He pleads with the Lord to punish these foes. He recalls the misery of his flight from Saul in the wilderness (1 Samuel 19:18; 20:1). David was assured God knew his troubles. Poetically, David speaks of God's precious awareness of suffering. He believed the Lord would answer his prayers and defeat his enemies. With confidence that God was on his side, David vowed to praise God's Word, trust in Him, and not be afraid.

Psalm 56:12–13 provides a fitting conclusion, as David met fear with faith. He has described his perilous situation in Gath, a Philistine city (1 Samuel 21:10–15) yet remained confident that God would protect him. Based on that faith, David anticipates giving offerings to God with praise and gratitude (1 Chronicles 29:10–13).

Chapter Summary:

David prays for God's protection as he is "oppressed" and "trampled" by his enemies. This refers to his experience in enemy territory near the city of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Despite natural fear, David chooses to trust in God. He knows the Lord will bring judgment to evil people, and that God sees everything which David has experienced. David resolves to praise the Lord once this danger has passed.

Chapter Context:

When David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 22:17–19), he was forced to enter enemy territory: the land of the Philistines. When he was recognized, David was captured but pretended to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10–15). This psalm reflects his prayer for safety while subject to these dangers.

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read. And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same. Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 4 today, with Psalms 56.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for?

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for the PDF Version of “Psalms 56 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 55 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 54 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 53 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 52 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 51 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 50 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 49 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 48 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 47 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 46 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to "Psalms 45 Explained!!"