Psalm
56
WHEN FEAR MEETS FAITH
INTRO
1. This has been called a twin psalm to the one we studied two weeks ago, Psalm 34.
It was also written when David found himself in Gath, fleeing from King Saul.
The King of Gath is under pressure by his advisers to put David to death; after all,
this is the man who killed Goliath! Some of them had doubtless lost brothers,
fathers, sons, and friends in the battle at Elah.
2. Psalm 34 seems to have been written after David escaped Gath, but Psalm 56 seems to
have been written while David was still a prisoner in Gath.
3. The word “michtam” literally means “to cut” or “to engrave.”
The thought is that this is a permanent writing. It reminds us of Job’s great cry,
“Oh that my words were written with an iron pen and graven in the rock forever.”
4. Try to picture yourself in David’s place, a prisoner in a foreign land. He’s under lock
and key. Outside his cell you can see the Philistine army marching up and down
in rank and file. At last, they have him!
5. David encourages himself in the MERCY, the MINDFULNESS, and the MIGHT of God (our overall outline).
6. Perhaps, today you are facing a particular trial in your life, something that seems to be
beyond your control---at home, at work, with your children, in matters of finance,
or just concerned about the future.
May we all remember today...
God Is Able!
*******
I. GOD IS MERCIFUL (v.1-4)
God’s Will Drawn In Circles
1. It is interesting that David
would begin with the mercy of God....David has
made a great mistake in fleeing from Saul and going to the house of
Achish. David has stepped out of the will of God. To step out of Canaan
land and seek help among the heathen is to step outside the sphere
of
God’s blessing.
2. God draw “circles,” if
you would, around us:
#1. God draws a circle around a
child in a home---the circle of
parental authority.
#2. God draws a circle around a
wife in a home---the circle of her
husband’s positional authority.
#3. God draws a circle around a
husband in the home---the circle of
divine authority, authority vested in Christ.
#4. God draws a circle around
the believer in the Church---the circle
of pastoral
authority.
#5. God draws a circle around
the citizen in the state---the circle of
governmental authority.
3. Sometimes God will enlarge a
circle:
#1. When a wife becomes a
mother.
#2. When an employee is
promoted to a position of authority.
4. But there are some circles
from which we are never to step outside, for to
do so, is to step out of the sphere of protection that the circle
provides.
5. When David went down to
Gath, he stepped across such a circle. He was no
longer in the place of blessing; he was in a place in which his own
unbelief and self-will had placed him.
6. David was spiritual enough
to recognize what he had done. This is why he
appeals to God’s mercy.
7. Could you be outside of
God’s will today, outside of God’s circle for you?
Perhaps, this psalm would be of special interest to you.
A. David’s FOES (v.1-2)
#1. Their PERPETUAL Animosity (v.1)
1. The word “daily” means all day---perpetually.
Can David see these men outside of his cell? Are they crying for his blood? Has there been a bounty on his head and they want to cash in on his death? Were they yelling at him, mocking him?
2. The word “man” used in this verse is enosh (Hebrew), meaning “mortal man.” That is, man in his weakness.
It may look like they are in the position of being all- powerful, but in reality, they are only remanufactured clay.
3. During David’s sojourn in Gath is the only time it is recorded he was afraid of man. Being out of God’s circle would account for that.
4. Contrast that word enosh with the name of God---Elohim, the God of Creation. Truly, Elohim IS all-powerful.
#2. Their PERSONAL Animosity (v.2)
1. The Philistines did, indeed, have an ax to grind with David. This is the teenager that humiliated them. They are forgetting that Goliath set down the rules and David play their game by accepting Goliath’s challenge.
It’s always interesting to watch human nature conveniently “forget” the facts when pride is on the line.
2. David’s enemies have a PERSONAL score to settle with him.
3. “O Thou Most High” -- the name for God -- is Marom. It means:
• God The Lofty
• God The Exalted One
David is asking God to exalt Himself beyond these little, self-assured, self-important men. I would think that is how David saw God as he approached Goliath in battle.
• So, we have seen David’s
FOES.
• Let’s now look at David’s
FAITH...
B. David’s FAITH (v.3-4)
1. WHEN David Would Exercise It (v.3)
1. Now, there’s a great verse worth memorizing.
2. In the jungles of dark Africa, David Livingstone was tempted to run from danger as hostile savages surrounded him one
night. He wrote in his journal:
“January 14, 1856. Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of
having all my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teeming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow. But I read that Jesus said: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye there fore and teach all nations, and lo I Am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” I will not cross furtively tonight as I intended. Should such a man as I flee? Nay verily, I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight though they be the last. I feel quite calm now, thank God.”
3. Like Livingstone, David exercised faith when he was afraid.
2. WHY David Would Exercise It (v.4)
1. David boils the enemy down to one word: “flesh”
2. In verse 3 David says, “...I am afraid...” but
in verse 4 David says, “...I will not fear...”.
3. David brought his fear into the presence of God and he saw it
dissolve away before his eyes.
Mortal man on one side vs. Almighty God on the other.
• This is David’s first great
thought of God.
• “God is MERCIFUL.”
II. GOD IS MINDFUL (v.5-11)
A. Of David’s TRIALS (v. 5-7)
1. The PRESSURE of his
enemies:
1. Satan is a master at wearing us down.
a) David’s enemies are lying and spying on him.
b) It’s called “keeping the pressure up.”
2. Under communist regimes people were known to have been
brainwashed---no sleep, bright lights, continual threats.
Sooner or later most people break down under it.
3. David simply tells the Lord about it.
2. The PUNISHMENT of his
enemies:
1. David is calling down the righteous anger of God, because they
were threatening to take the life of God’s annointed.
2. David would not touch the life of Saul, because Saul was God’s
annointed.
3. God knows all about it.
B. Of David’s TEARS (v.8-9)
1. The road to the throne was not an easy one for David. He was hounded
by Saul all over the promise land.
2. When God intends to exalt a man to the heights David would be exalted,
God puts him through sever testing (consider the life of Joseph).
The Lord has a school and it is a tough one. When God gives
tests, He does not grade on a curve. David seems to understand this.
3. As David wept, he realized that not only were his steps important to God,
but so were his tears...
...your tears are precious to God...every one of them.
C. Of David’s TRUST (v. 10-11)
1. God is faithful, man is feeble.
a) David decided to trust God as Creator and as Covenant-Keeper.
b) When God says, “I will,” no man can stand against Him:
(and God had said that He would make him king)
• Not a crazed Hebrew King.
• Not a malicious Philistine King.
Their “You won’ts!” just don’t hold water.
2. Learn to rest upon the promises of God. Search them out in the Bible.
His Word will become precious to you.
3. Learn to match your prayers with the promises of God.
4. Illustration: On one occasion David prayed: “Uphold me, according to Thy word.” In answer he had these promises:
I
the Lord thy God hold thy right hand.
Yea,
I will up hold thee.
He
will not suffer thy foot to be moved.
When
thou runnest thou shalt not stumble.
Yea,
he shall be holden up.
He
shall keep thy foot from being taken.
He
will keep the feet of His saints.
Seven promises in answer to one prayer!
• God is mindful of our trials, our tears, and our trust.
*******
III. GOD IS MIGHTY (v. 12-13)
•
God is so mighty that David can look upon his deliverance as if it has already
happened.
•
When you fully realize how mighty God is, you can look at your trials as already
finished!
A. David Was HAPPY In His Steps (v.12-13a)
1. “I am under vows from Thee!”, David is saying.
We have heard people say, “I’m under orders from the Commander.” And we know that the person has authority.
Here David has placed himself under the Commander’s promises.
Those promises are so real (claimed by faith) to David that he is
ready to offer praises to God. Now, that’s really “standing on the
promises of God.” And we know that David has assurance.
2. The word “delivered” in v. 13a literally means “plucked.”
It is a graphic picture of a man who has been snatched away
from surrounding danger.
3. Looking closely at these words, we can see the joy David has, simply
because he is letting his faith cast out his fear:
“I
will render praises unto thee,
because
I am under vows from Thee!”
B. David Was HEEDFUL of His Steps. (v. 13b)
1. When do you need God most? ...In the sunlight or in the shadows?
When are you AWARE that you need God most?
David knew that he should not be in Gath. He seems to know
also that he is weak in the flesh.
As
bad as circumstances looked for David, prior to
The Gath
Jailhouse, it must have looked like sunlight now compared to
this.
In the shadows of prison and the threat of death, David is
AWARE of his need for God’s might.
He knew this before his life was threatened, but, like many of us,
he forgot and stepped out of the circle of God’s will.
2. David closes this psalm by asking God for deliverance, so that when
he goes back to “the light of the living,” he will walk more like
God’s man, and less like David, the fugitive.
3. When the sun shines bright in your life, that is the time to walk after
God, to take time to praise God. Don’t wait until you are hanging
off of some spiritual cliff about to fall.
*******
Conclusion:
1. Go back and look at the first subscription at the beginning of this psalm.
It says, “To the chief Musician” and adds the Hebrew word “al-taschith.”
These words literally mean “Do not destroy.”
2. This was a very special psalm to David and he wanted the chief Musician to take special
care of it.
3. Perhaps, today your fear of something is over-ruling your faith in your God.
Remember, as did David:
#1. Your God is MERCIFUL.
#2. Your God is MINDFUL.
#3. Your God is MIGHTY.
Get out from under the circumstances
and rest your burdens on Him!