Psalm 56

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me;
all day long they press their attack.

2 My slanderers pursue me all day long;
many are attacking me in their pride.

3 When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;
they are always plotting to harm me.

6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
eager to take my life.

7 On no account let them escape;
in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.

8 Record my lament;
list my tears on your scroll -
are they not in your record?

9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise-

11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows to you, O God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.

13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

David repeated a similar theme in 2 separate verses in this psalm.

Verse 4: "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

Verses 10-11: "In God, whose word I praise,in the LORD, whose word I praise - in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

It really reminds me that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31. When we learn to trust that God is in control of everything in our lives, we will stop worrying about pleasing people.

If we do what is good in the eyes of God, why should we fear any one?


My personal application is that I must remember to please God, and not please man. After all, what can man do to me, if I have found favour in the eyes of God?


Things to ponder
1. How much do you seek to please God? Rate 1 to 10 (10 means most!).
2. How much do you seek to please man (people, friends, etc)?
3. What is something that cause you to want to please man and not please God?
4. Pray and ask God to give you a heart to always please God.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 56