What does Psalm 56:5 mean?
Saul was jealous and intent on killing David (1 Samuel 19:1–2). At one point, David desperately crossed into enemy territory (Psalm 56:1; 1 Samuel 21:10) hoping the Philistines would assume he was rebelling against Saul. He likely assumed Saul would never look for him in a Philistine city. However, by hiding in Gath, David put his life at risk. The Philistines recognized him and plotted evil. For this reason, David pretended to be insane, hoping the enemy would keep their distance (1 Samuel 21:11–15).Believers should not expect to receive anything but persecution from the world (2 Timothy 3:12). The evil world system is not the believer's friend (John 15:18–21). Jesus promised that His followers would experience difficulties in this life (John 16:33). Yet Jesus also said He had already attained victory over the world. Abraham's nephew Lot chose to settle in Sodom, an extremely wicked city. It was a bad choice. Eventually, God judged Sodom, pouring down sulfur and fire on the city. He spared Lot and his family, but Lot left everything he owned in Sodom when he fled for his life (Genesis 19:24–30). Christians should not be surprised when the unbelieving world applies evil thoughts and evil plans against them.
