As we begin our study and meditations on Psalm 56 we
again need to remember that the Psalms are not in the historical order in which
they took place. David wrote Psalm 55 later in life, after he had been king of
Israel for some time. He was fleeing for his life because his son Absalom was
leading a revolt against him (2 Samuel 15-16).  The title of Psalm 56 informs us that it was
written by David years earlier as a young soldier when he had been captured by
the Philistines in Gath.

1 Samuel 21 gives us the history and story of this
desperate time in his life. King Saul in his great jealousy had already attempt
to personally kill David on several occasions. When fleeing from him this time,
David went alone to Nob to Ahimelech the priest to get some food and get the
sword of Goliath. For some reason he had in his mind that he would be safer
with the Philistines at Gath where Saul would be afraid to come. Maybe he
thought the sword of Goliath would scare the Philistines reminding them of his
victory over Goliath a few years earlier.

Whenever we come under great duress and pressure, we
don’t always think very clearly! Our faith can turn to fear and we make some
terrible decisions. That is what happened when David went to Achish, the king
of the Philistines at Gath. Remember Gath is the hometown of Goliath (1 Samuel
17), and he still has four living brothers who no doubt hated David (2 Samuel
21:18-21). You have to wonder what David was thinking, because just the
opposite happened. At Gath they did remember, and they wanted revenge. They
capture David and probably throw him into some kind of jail, or tie in up in
the middle of the city. They want to publicly humiliate him, mock him and
deride him, and probably are taking time to decide how they are going to kill
him.

The words and prayer of this Psalm must have formed
in the mind of David as he is in this time of total despair, in fear of his
life. This Psalm reveals that his life was in great danger, and history tells
us that he had to pretend to be insane in order to escape (1 Sam. 21:10-22:1).
The musical inscription is translated variously: "the silent dove among
those far away," "the silent dove among the strangers,"
"the dove on the distant oaks (or terebinths)." David feels totally
helpless like a dove and all alone.

Psalm 34 also came out of this experience in Gath
and was probably written after his escape from the Philistines. Psalm 34:6-7:
“This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his
troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And
delivers them.” In the midst of peril and fear (vv. 3, 4, 11), David cries
out to the LORD!

Interestingly, Psalm 56 stands shoulder to shoulder
with Psalm 55, where the troubles were caused by David's family and friend;
here they are caused by David's foes. There he was depressed; here he is
optimistic. Trouble is trouble, but where it comes from can make a big difference.

David remembers God’s Word and His promises and encourages
himself in the mercy, mindfulness, and might of God. That is a great way to
face a hopeless situation. Life is full of situations far beyond our limited
powers to control: situations at work and at home, with our families, in the
fellowship, in matters of finance, and in matters of our future.

Fear and despair can overwhelm us but, like David,
we can remember the promises of God in His Word and then let our fear drive us
to return to faith. “Whenever
I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I
have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (v. 4). “In God (I
will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word), In God I have put
my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (vv. 10-11).

God bless!