Psalm 56

What can mere mortals do to me?

David writes this Psalm as he is in hiding from his enemies, and pleas to God that He may recognize his toil and suffering and provide him comfort.  Although David is fleeing a military enemy, which is difficult for us to relate with, it is not uncommon for us to feel like we are surrounded by enemies.  They may not want our heads, as was the case with the Philistines hunting for David, but they can attack us in other ways; they can anger us, they can insult us, they can intimidate us, or they can even just ignore us. 

Whatever method these enemies use, the pain is still the same.  David pleads with God “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll”.  It doesn't matter what the source of that misery is, be it an angry solder wishing your death, or a friend turning their back on you when you need them; God lists those tears on His scroll.  Our God is a God who suffers when we suffer, who weeps when we weep, and who reaches out to us when we need consolation.  David knew this, which is why, even in a horrifying mortal struggle, he still found comfort.  His God knew his suffering, and his God would console him.  David says “What can mere mortals do to me?” letting us know that our God is bigger than any of his problems, or any of our problems too.

Christ tells us to love our enemies.  Prior to this, however, Jesus tells us to love God first.  Only through loving God can we learn to love our enemies.  Only a loving God can shoulder all of those burdens that a sinful world piles upon us.  He lifts these burdens off of us, so we can learn to love others.  Christ tells us to “Consider the lilies in the field” to remember that God loves us and is greater than any petty concern.  He was reminding us to think like David, who says “in God I trust and am not afraid”.  Of course, to cease our fear, and trust God, means we have to give over our lives completely and wholly to Him; a feat that many strive for, and all fall short. 

Rather than just ask God to salve our problems, perhaps we would be better suited to do what David did.  He asked for comfort.  He offered praise.  Finally, he realized that God is with him; in the good times and the bad.  In times of strife, he has the strength to turn towards God, not away from Him.  If the greatest king and warrior in the Bible was able to recognize that even he was powerless compared to God, perhaps we too can learn.

©Billy Heller

1 Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;

    all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;
    all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
    they watch my steps,
    hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
    in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8 Record my misery;
    list my tears on your scroll
    are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
    when I call for help.
    By this I will know that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows to you, my God;
    I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
    and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.