LHC Midday Word: PSALM Fifty Six

For the director of music.

To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oaks’.

Of David. A miktam.

When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

Be merciful to me, my God,

for my enemies are in hot pursuit;

all day long they press their attack.

My adversaries pursue me all day long;

in their pride many are attacking me.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise –

in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

All day long they twist my words;

all their schemes are for my ruin.

They conspire, they lurk,

they watch my steps,

hoping to take my life.

Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;

in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

Record my misery;

list my tears on your scroll –

are they not in your record?

Then my enemies will turn back

when I call for help.

By this I will know that God is for me.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise –

in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can man do to me?

I am under vows to you, my God;

I will present my thank-offerings to you.

For you have delivered me from death

and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Psalm 56 : “twist” (v.5)

Ever been misquoted, not innocently but maliciously? It happened to David, so you’re definitely in good company. He wrote, “my slanderers pursue me …all day long they twist my words” (vv.2 & 5).

What effect can it have on us? It can make us

[1] Fearful, exactly as David put it (“when I am afraid” v.3), but his effective remedy was “I will trust in you” (v.3);

[2] Paranoid (“they watch my steps” v.6) - it brought David to “tears” (v.8). Instead of exaggerating matters in your imagination, declare “I will know that God is for me” (v.9). Don’t under-rate prayer by thinking ‘it’s all I can do’! It’s plenty!

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READING

Psalm Fifty Six

Read by David Suchet