Psalm 56:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,

NIV: In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—

NASB: In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise,

CSB: In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,

NLT: I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.

KJV: In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.

NKJV: In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word),

These words begin a phrase concluded in the following verse. This echoes the same statement David made earlier in the song (Psalm 56:4). Rather than despair in his hard circumstances (Psalm 56:1–6), David remembered that God knew his struggles (Psalm 56:7–8) and he trusted the Lord to act for good purposes (Psalm 56:9). The "word" David refers to is not simply the written texts of Scripture. David means all of God's doings, dealings, and concerns. The nature and person of the Lord God was the object of David's continual praise.

The second term for God used here is the covenant name, Yahweh, used by God in reference to Himself (Exodus 3:14). During David's life, he was given promises by God (1 Samuel 16:11–13; 2 Samuel 7:8-12). When David faced trouble and danger, he experienced natural fear (Psalm 55:4–6). Yet he also relied on God's promises and chose to trust the Lord rather than despair (Psalm 55:22; 56:8–9).

In his letter to Titus, Paul writes that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Of course, not every promise in the entire Bible applies to every believer. Yet those who know Christ as their Savior have enough promises to drive away fear and provide hope and confidence. The apostle Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:3–4: "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises." Hebrews chapter 11 points out many instances of God fulfilling His promises; these are recorded as reasons for living believers to trust the Lord's guarantees.

Psalm 56:5–11 describes the hateful actions of David's enemies. He pleads with the Lord to punish these foes. He recalls the misery of his flight from Saul in the wilderness (1 Samuel 19:18; 20:1). David was assured God knew his troubles. Poetically, David speaks of God's precious awareness of suffering. He believed the Lord would answer his prayers and defeat his enemies. With confidence that God was on his side, David vowed to praise God's Word, trust in Him, and not be afraid.

David prays for God's protection as he is "oppressed" and "trampled" by his enemies. This refers to his experience in enemy territory near the city of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Despite natural fear, David chooses to trust in God. He knows the Lord will bring judgment to evil people, and that God sees everything which David has experienced. David resolves to praise the Lord once this danger has passed.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.