What does Psalm 56:4 mean?
God's Word encouraged David, who was under constant oppression from his enemies. He praised God's "word," which in this context means something more involved than the written Scriptures. David expresses trust in the nature, character, and promises of God. David knew the Lord had established him for special purposes (1 Samuel 16:11–13). Though David was subject to normal human emotions (Psalm 56:4), he chose to rely on God in those hard times.Whoever wants to meet trouble with strong faith needs to develop a personal knowledge of God, which includes understanding His written Word. Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Because his faith in the Lord was strong, David was not afraid of anything man might do to him. When Jesus commissioned the twelve apostles "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6), He told them to announce, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 10:7). He forewarned them that they would face persecution (Matthew 10:23), but He said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
Psalm 56:1–4 sets the tone for the entire psalm. David tells the Lord about his plight: constant assault by his enemies. Yet he meets this trouble with trust in God. Faith triumphs over fear.
David prays for God's protection as he is "oppressed" and "trampled" by his enemies. This refers to his experience in enemy territory near the city of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Despite natural fear, David chooses to trust in God. He knows the Lord will bring judgment to evil people, and that God sees everything which David has experienced. David resolves to praise the Lord once this danger has passed.
