What does Psalm 56:11 mean?

This repeats nearly word-for-word what was written in the early verses of this psalm (Psalm 56:4). David does not imply that he never experiences anxiety. Rather, David was honest about experiencing terror when danger lurked (Psalm 55:4–6; 56:3). This is a reminder as well as a declaration: that David will not despair or fail to trust God in the face of fear. Ultimately, no person can overcome God's purposes. The Lord is on the believer's side (Psalm 56:9)—nothing can happen to a child of God which is not ultimately for good purposes (Psalm 56:8; Romans 8:28).

Here, David refers to earthly enemies using the literal word for a human being: ā'dām, a reference to the first man being formed out of dirt—adamah—by God (Genesis 2:7). The prior expression (Psalm 56:4) used the word for "flesh"—bāsār—as another comparison to God's infinitely powerful nature (2 Chronicles 32:8; Psalm 78:39). Those who persecute God's people (John 16:33) are "mere mortals," as several translations put it. The Lord is immortal and all-powerful (1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Chronicles 29:11).

Even when earthly struggles end in death, this is not a "defeat" for those who follow God. Death could not subdue Jesus; He conquered death and has given eternal life to all who believe on Him as Savior (John 3:16–18, 36). Death for the believer is not a tragedy (1 Corinthians 15:54–58). Paul writes, "We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). Awaiting trial that might result in his execution, Paul exuded strong faith. He writes, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).