The title of the 56th Psalm was written by David, "when the Philistines seized him in Gath," a reference to David's flight from Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15), when he hastily sought refuge in enemy territory while running away from King Saul. Fearing Gath's king Achish, David feigned insanity to escape. Desperation and suffering became the impetus for David to write songs. In addition to Psalm 56, he also composed Psalm 34 under the duress of this same incident. Psalm 56 is divided into two main sections (1-4 and 5-11), each of which concludes with a similar refrain (vss. 4 and 10-11), and a third brief vow of thanksgiving. In the first section (1-4), David's enemies who are oppressing him all day long (1-2), become mere flesh, in verse 4, after he places his trust in God. The second section (5-11) amplifies the first by revealing that indeed mortal flesh can wreak havoc, making David's life miserable. Despite a zealous oppressor's relentless pursuit, David found solace knowing that God took careful account of his suffering and would soon turn away his enemies (8-9). Though they could do great temporal damage to him, David could ultimately trust in his God, Yahweh (10-11). With the breathing room that David's trust afforded him, he offered the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God who delivered his soul from death (12-13). Psalms like this minister to us as they bear witness to the brutal reality of trials in our life in this fallen world. While not denying the reality of suffering, they also celebrate God who is bigger than our circumstances. Trusting in God, we not only find rest in the promise for eternal life, but also confidence to walk before Him here and now.

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