Psalm 56:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

NIV: For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

NASB: For You have saved my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.

CSB: For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.

NLT: 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.

KJV: For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

NKJV: For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

David was so sure the Lord would rescue him from the Philistines and Saul that he wrote as if the rescue had already been accomplished. This technique is seen in several of David's psalms (Psalm 3:7–8; 9:5–6; 52:9).

In response to the Lord's protection, David would walk before God in "the light of life." Jesus referred to Himself as "the light of the world," and said, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The Bible often uses "light" as a metaphor for truth, goodness, and virtue. David was grateful that God had delivered him from death, but God has delivered all who trust in His Son from spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1–5) and from eternal death (John 3:16). The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Psalm 56:12–13 provides a fitting conclusion, as David met fear with faith. He has described his perilous situation in Gath, a Philistine city (1 Samuel 21:10–15) yet remained confident that God would protect him. Based on that faith, David anticipates giving offerings to God with praise and gratitude (1 Chronicles 29:10–13).

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.

When David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 22:17–19), he was forced to enter enemy territory: the land of the Philistines. When he was recognized, David was captured but pretended to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10–15). This psalm reflects his prayer for safety while subject to these dangers.

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 4:45:38 PM