What does Psalm 56:2 mean?
David continues his lament over attacking enemies (Psalm 56:1). In this situation, he was running from the forces of king Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 20:1–42) and feigning insanity to distract the Philistines of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). On all sides were enemies, like a pack of predators trying to take him down. David also describes their acts using a Hebrew word that is often translated as "arrogant" or "pridefully."Christians, too, have been under attack since the founding of the worldwide church (John 16:33). Yet Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18). He said the persecution would be so intense that "whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God" (John 16:2). Not long after the church in Jerusalem was formed, wicked King Herod seized the apostle James and executed him (Acts 12:2). When that act made him popular with Jewish leaders, Herod apprehended the apostle Peter, put him in prison, and intended to execute him, too, after Passover (Acts 12:3–4). The apostle Paul was also the target of bloodthirsty attacks. He was stoned at Lystra (Acts 14:19), beaten and imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16:18–24), assaulted in Jerusalem (Acts 21:30–36), and put on trial in Rome with the possible sentence of death (Acts 26:32; Philippians 1:7, 20–21).
