FOR THE PURE AND SHINING ONE
Lord, show me your kindness and mercy,
for these men oppose and oppress me all day long.
Not a day goes by but that somebody harasses me.
So many in their pride trample me under their feet.
But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before you
and trust in you with all my heart.
What harm could a man bring to me?
With God on my side I will not be afraid of what comes.
The roaring praises of God fill my heart,
and I will always triumph as I trust his promises.
Day after day cruel critics distort my words;
constantly they plot my collapse.
Lurking in the dark, waiting, spying on my movements in secret
to take me by surprise, ready to take my life.
They don’t deserve to get away with this!
Look at their wickedness, their injustice, Lord.
In your fierce anger cast them down to defeat.
You’ve kept track of all my wandering and my weeping.
You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle—not one will be lost.
For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance.
The very moment I call to you for a father’s help
the tide of battle turns and my enemies flee.
This one thing I know: God is on my side!
I trust in the Lord. And I praise him!
I trust in the Word of God. And I praise him!
What harm could man do to me?
With God on my side I will not be afraid of what comes.
My heart overflows with praise to God and for his promises.
I will always trust in him.
So I’m thanking you with all my heart,
with gratitude for all you’ve done.
I will do everything I’ve promised you, Lord.
For you have saved my soul from death
and my feet from stumbling
so that I can walk before the Lord
bathed in his life-giving light.
King David’s golden song of instruction composed when the Philistines captured him in Gath, to the tune of “The Oppression of the Princes to Come”.
The Walk of Faith: The desire to run from problems is a common trait of all mankind, but confidence in God allows us to face difficulties. Though situations arise that seem overwhelming, hopeless, oppressive, and fearful, the Psalms point to God as our refuge. The trust in God's watchful care is reaffirmed in Hebrews 13:6, examples abound of faith in God in spite of circumstances.
(Psalm 42:5-8) Know that God can give you hope when circumstances indicate there is none. Hope in God, for you shall yet praise Him. Remember, He has promised to be present with you both day and night.
(Psalm 46:1-11) Set your heart on the Lord, your refuge and shelter in every trouble.
(Psalm 56:1) Or “the distant dove of silence.” The Silent Dove may be a subscript for the preceding psalm; it fits the topic there (55:6,16).
(Psalm 56:2) The Septuagint says, “They war with me in the high places.”
(Psalm 56:3,4) Recognize that everyone feels afraid at times. Faith can turn fear into trust. Each time you feel afraid, choose to trust in the Lord. Set your eyes on the Lord; He is greater than anything you fear.
(Psalm 56:8) The idea of God’s keeping a record in a book is found in Ex. 32:32 and is confirmed in the NT (Luke 10:20). See also Mal. 3:16.
(Psalm 56:11) This trust in God’s watchful care is reaffirmed in Heb. 13:6.
(Psalm 56:12) Anticipating that God will hear and answer his prayer for deliverance, David notes that his promise to respond with praise will be among his binding vows.
Psalms 7, 34, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, and 142 refer to events during David’s troublesome relationship with Saul.
PRAYER OF FAITH: Jesus, King of Kings, You say that the righteous man will live by faith. Mold me in Your image and fill my heart with faith in You. Guide my actions so that I can live by faith and have a life in You, abundantly and eternally. Cleanse my thoughts of impurities, Lord and keep my eyes fixed on You and You alone. Help me be steadfast in my trust in You and Your Scriptures so that I can live right in Your holy sight. Amen.
