Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 56

Click here to read PSALM 56 in poetic form.

Background

This Psalm has the title “Michtam,” which literally means an engraving. Psalms 56 through 60 all begin with this title. It is first seen in its only other occurrence—Psalm 16. All six of these titles deal with the Messiah’s death and resurrection.

We have seen that Psalm 16 is one of the greatest encouragements Jesus Christ could read that was written concerning him. Verses 8-11 are quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28) and by Paul in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:35). Jesus Christ had a glad heart and was at peace because of the hope of his resurrection. The Messiah stayed on the “path of life” and overcame death to be at God’s right hand where “there are pleasures for evermore.” Those four verses show: his earthly ministry and fulfillment of God’s calling as the Messiah (verse 8), his suffering and death (verses 9,10), his resurrection and ascension (verse 11), and his seating and eternal position at God’s right hand (verse 11).

These six Psalms are “engravings” in that they are established and will absolutely come to pass. They are as sure as words engraved in stone. Exodus 31:18 says that God “gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Job 19:24 says that truth should be “graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” As we go through Psalms 56—60, note the absolute certainty of God rescuing David from his enemies, and also of David’s conviction that his “son,” the Messiah, would be raised from the dead.

Structure

(Verses 1,2) Many evil enemies seek Messiah’s death

(Verse 3,4) Messiah trusts God’s Word and does not fear man

(Verses 5-8) Many evil enemies seek Messiah’s death

(Verses 9-11) Messiah trusts God’s Word and does not fear man

(Verses 12,13) Praise to God for His help over David’s enemies (resurrection)

Key Scriptures

Verse 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.” This chorus is repeated (verses 10 and 11) to show David’s absolute trust in God’s Word, and his fearless attitude toward men.

Verse 8—“Put thou my tears into thy bottle.” Some Bible teachers believe that ancient Israelites kept their tears in flasks. These were priceless collections representing the greatest sorrows and joys in person’s life. They would only be used publically in the most important circumstances. Some believe that the woman in Luke 7:44 used such a bottle when showing her deep love for Jesus Christ. It reads, “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.”

Verse 12—“Thy vows are upon me, O God.” Jesus Christ always did the Father’s will. He kept God’s mission for his life at the forefront of his thoughts (see Luke 4:8,18-21 regarding Jesus’ commitment to God alone in fulfilling his ministry).

Verse 13—“For thou hast delivered my soul from death…that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” This is the crux of the entire Psalm. David trusted God to not only deliver him from his enemies on earth, but to give him resurrection life through the Messiah. Jesus Christ, the son of David, would have read this Psalm with great joy and hope.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.