Psalm 56 — David and the Philistines
Introduction: David fled from Israel’s territory because King Saul was very jealous and afraid of him, as many people in Judah and Israel loved and praised David. On two different occasions Saul threw his javelin at David while David was playing the harp to calm Saul’s spirit. Then Saul sent men to wait outside David’s house to kill him in the morning, but David escaped through a window by night with the help of his wife. Going to a city of the Philistines was certainly an act of desperation since they were the enemies of Israel, and David had won many victories over them as a commander of troops serving King Saul. But David had enemies whether inside or outside of Israel’s territory.
NOTE: All scriptures are from the 21st Century King James Version.
A — David Fled to the Philistine City of Gath
1 Samuel 21 “10 And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, ‘Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’ 12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. 14 Then said Achish unto his servants, ‘Lo, ye see the man is mad. Why then have ye brought him to me? 15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?’ 22:1 David therefore departed thence and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.”
Comments: King Achish seemed to have little interest in David as a prize prisoner, but the servants of the king certainly knew David’s reputation. When David heard what was said about him, he was afraid for his life. He decided to act as though he was a madman, and that worked well enough that Achish wanted nothing to do with him. David escaped from Gath and took refuge in a cave at Adullam where his family later joined him. The content of this Psalm has no element reflecting the comfort of being joined by his family members — it was likely composed at least in his thoughts while he was alone, and later dedicated for use in worship at the temple.
B — Secure in the Lord
Psalm 56 “1 Be merciful unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up; he, fighting daily, oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up, for they are many that fight against me, O Thou Most High. 3 In the time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. 4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Comments: David appeals directly to the Most High God for mercy, knowing that some among his own countrymen, as well as the Philistines, represented numerous immediate threats to his life while he was totally alone. It is easier to speak of trust in the Lord when all seems well, but David declared while he was alone and afraid, that he still trusted the Lord. David’s trust was based on God’s word, without receiving any miraculous sign or a message from God by angels to strengthen him. He praised God’s word because that was how he had trusted in God. Therefore he had the confidence to say that he would not fear what any man could do to him. Psalm 118 “6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me? 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Matthew 10 “28 And fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 31 Fear ye not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
C — Cast the People Down O Lord
Psalm 56 “5 Every day they wrest my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps as they lie in wait for my soul. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In Thine anger cast down the people, O God.”
Comments: David felt a continual threat as he said his enemies twisted the meaning of his words every day, and everything they thought about regarding him was to bring about evil on him. He believed they gathered together in secret to watch his every step and to lie in wait to take his life. David was saying to God that such people should not escape punishment while being so wickedly unjust, so he asked that God would in anger throw them down. David knew that just as his protection in such dangerous circumstances came from God, regardless of apparent strength in the enemies of God, they could be easily and quickly cast down by the anger of God against them.
D — God Is for Me, and I Praise Him
Psalm 56 “8 Thou countest my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? 9 When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back! This I know, for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise His word; in the LORD will I praise His word.”
Comments: David had tried to maintain loyalty to King Saul and had not wronged him in any way. Job 31:4 “Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?” Job knew that there is nothing hidden from God, and David also believed that to be true. So David said he knew not only all of his steps in flight were known by God, but he felt the comfort of knowing that every tear he had shed was precious as if kept in a bottle. Because these things were in the record book of God, David trusted that when he cried out to God his enemies would turn away because God was on his side. With this confident thought in his heart, David began again to praise his God and Lord for his precious Word.
E — The Promises of God Preserve the Soul
Psalm 56 “11 In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render praises unto Thee. 13 For Thou hast delivered my soul from death; wilt Thou not deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?”
Comments: David summarized his thoughts and his praise to God as he reaffirms that his trust was fully in the Lord and he would not fear what mere man can do to him. With the firm belief that the vows of God were on him, David offered all praise to his God. God had delivered his soul from the eternal death, and he believes that God would soon deliver him from the eminent peril so he could continue to walk before his God in “the light of the living.” Hebrews 13 “5 Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; 6 so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Reflections in Prayer
I thank you, Lord, that my security in this life is not in myself or in any amount of supporters around me, but in the promises you have given to me through the gift of faith in Christ Jesus for salvation of my soul. In those times when I do not feel very secure through whatever causes me anxiety, help me, Lord, to remember your Word and to praise you for that precious gift of many assurances. Whatever may happen to me while in this body, I know you will preserve my soul. Lord, I want to walk before you in a manner of contentment that is pleasing to you, and that may provide a witness to others of the peace you offer through faith in the true and living God. Amen.
Published 12 January 2016