Day 88 – Psalm 56:9-13
Scripture Review
Psalm 56:9-13
"When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me." (Psalm 56:9)
I may not know a lot but "this I know" "God is for me" means God is on my side. David is not saying, "I hope things work out." He is saying, "I know." Not because he is mighty, but because God is for him. What a mighty God I serve!
"In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word." (Psalm 56:10)
God's word is the matter and cause of praise. David goes back to the promise. This reminded me of when David called for the Ephod. Faith rests in God's promises and not in changing circumstances. That is exactly what David is fastening himself to what God has spoken.
"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." (Psalm 56:11)
"The Lord is my helper," Human power has stopped being ultimate in David's mind. Saul ends his story fearing what the uncircumcised will do to him. David, by contrast, learns to say, "I will not be afraid what man can do unto me."
"Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee." (Psalm 56:12)
These vows are not a burden but a mark that he belongs to God, even a bridle restraining him from what is hurtful. "I will render praises, will pay what I have vowed." David is not treating his promises to God like emotional excess from the panic room. He means to pay them. David intends to turn deliverance into thanksgiving, not merely relief.
"For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Psalm 56:13)
The God who delivered before will deliver again. All our desires and expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, should aim at better service to the Lord. David does not only want to escape death, he wants feet kept from falling so he may walk before God in the light of the living. That is bigger than survival. That is restored, upright, and a God facing life. David does not just want out of the pit, he wants to walk straight after he comes out.