4 In God, whose word I praise- in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
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.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
4 I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?
4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
11 Fearless now, I trust in God; what can mere mortals do to me?
11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
(Read Psalm 56:8-13)
The heavy and continued trials through which many of the Lord's people have passed, should teach us to be silent and patient under lighter crosses. Yet we are often tempted to repine and despond under small sorrows. For this we should check ourselves. David comforts himself, in his distress and fear, that God noticed all his grievances and all his griefs. God has a bottle and a book for his people's tears, both the tears for their sins, and those for their afflictions. He observes them with tender concern. Every true believer may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for man has no power but what is given him from above. Thy vows are upon me, O Lord; not as a burden, but as that by which I am known to be thy servant; as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful, and directs me in the way of my duty. And vows of thankfulness properly accompany prayers for mercy. If God deliver us from sin, either from doing it, or by his pardoning mercy, he has delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. Where the Lord has begun a good work he will carry it on and perfect it. David hopes that God would keep him even from the appearance of sin. We should aim in all our desires and expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, that we may do the better service to the Lord; that we may serve him without fear. If his grace has delivered our souls from the death of sin, he will bring us to heaven, to walk before him for ever in light.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
6 God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
(Read Psalm 118:1-18)
The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 56:4
Commentary on Psalm 56:1-7
(Read Psalm 56:1-7)
Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties and dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God's anger; how high it can reach, how forcibly it can strike?