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King Saul burned with jealousy after David's spectacular defeat of Goliath. After several attempts to assassinate him, David fled for his life. Saul then ordered his troops to relentlessly hunt David down and capture him.

During those years when he was constantly in peril, always on the run, a hard-pressed David composed this song that expressed both his fears and his trust in God.

Psalm 56:1-13

1. As viewed from ground level (vv. 1-2, 5-6), how alarming was David's situation?
   
   
2. How (v. 7) did David react to this hostility? By striking back or by appealing to a higher court?
   
   
3. Describe the "pep talk" David gave himself (vv. 4, 10-11).
   
   
4. How do David's words (v. 8) demonstrate that he believed God took a personal interest in his troubles?
   
   
5. What could David count on (v. 9) about God's attitude toward him? What outcome was David banking on?
   
   
6. How did David's earlier experiences (v. 13a) bolster his trust now?
   
   
7. How did David's perspective change from verse 1 to verse 13b? What accounts for this shift?
   
   

Ask God for a growing freedom from your fears as you validate his ability to shield you from harm.

Psalm 56:1-13

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune "Dove on Distant Oaks."

1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. 2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. 3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

5 They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me. 6 They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me. 7 Don't let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! 10 I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. 11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. 13 For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord, to accept that You are in control, even when I can't make sense of what's happening to me.

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