“I Put My Trust In Thee” Psalm 56 1

An overview of Ps. 56 2

I. David’s prayer – vs. 1-4 (David’s Prayer) Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 3

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, 4

(David’s Promises) I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5

II. David’s Request – vs. 5-7 The facts are: Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather themselves together, 6

they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 7

So David asks: Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8

III. David’s assurance – vs. 8-9 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 9

IV. David’s trust in God – vs In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 10

V. Promises made – vs Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: 11

wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (in the land of the living) 12

Great Lessons for us 13

1. Troubles do come The fact that we are children of God does not mean: A. that we will have no problems B. that there will not be opposition C. that we will not have enemies 14

2. It is right to pray for deliverance from troubles REMEMBER – To always pray that God’s will be done Mt. 26:39 “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” 15

3. It is comforting to know that God is mindful of us when we cannot sleep He carefully records our sorrows 16

Job 31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 17

Mt. 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 18

Ps. 139:1-4 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways… 19

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 20

2 Kings 20:5 God told Isaiah to tell King Hezekiah - “Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears:…” 21

4. The righteous can say that, “God is for us” Ps. 56:9 “…for God is for me” 22

Rom. 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 23

5. If we trust in God we will not fear what men can do Ps. 118:6 “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” 24

Heb. 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 25

Ps. 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 26

Conclusion Js. 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” 27

References Some points taken for article on Ps. 56 by Roy Deaver 28