A Lament of Fear and Trust (Psalm 56:3-4)
- Betty Dodge
- Feb 6, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ⁴In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? —Psalm 56:3-4
Psalms is a book of poetry containing Israel’s prayers and worship songs. It includes a variety of psalms—for thanksgiving, praise, wisdom, remembrance, celebration, and lament. Interestingly, there are more psalms of lament than any other category.
Psalm 56 is one of these psalms of lament. In it, David is pressed between Saul’s murderous pursuit of him and escape into the company of Israel’s fiercest enemy (1 Samuel 21:10-13). He is battling emotions of anguish, fear, and suffering and turns to God with a heartrending plea, “Be gracious to me, O God…” (Psalm 56:1). He is earnest to conquer, not in his own strength but by trusting in God.
David is afraid for his life, but he knows what God has said and he knows that God is trustworthy—“in God whose word I praise…in God I trust.” We see David’s battle to bring his emotions into submission to God’s will by reminding himself of God’s character:
God is gracious. (Psalm 56:1)
God is greater than any person or thing. (Psalm 56:3-4)
God is with David and fully aware of his emotional state. (Psalm 56:8)
God created David and is sovereign over his life. (Psalm 56:8)
God is for David. (Psalm 56:9)
God is the Deliverer from death. (Psalm 56:12-13)
God is trustworthy. (Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11)
When we forget God, we are subject to fear. But we are not without hope. We can turn to Psalm 56 and remember who God is. He is more powerful than anything we fear. He is our comfort.
For Reflection
When you are afraid, what do you do? What has God promised to do, if you will turn to Him? (See Psalms 23:4; 46:1; 118:5-7.)
David’s fears were founded—his life was threatened by powerful men. Yet his hope was in God. Can you think of fears you have that are unfounded? How should you respond to them?
If you belong to God by grace through faith in Christ, and are growing in your knowledge of Him, you won't be controlled by fear of what people can do to you. Place your trust in God and praise His Word. It may help you to write out your prayer of trust in Him.