Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 56:3
“When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
NIV · New International Version
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
WEB · World English Bible
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
What does Psalms 56:3 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 56:3
What time I am afraid,.... It was a time of fear with him now; he was afraid of Achish king of Gath, 1 Samuel 21:12; so believers have their times of fear; about their interest in the love, and grace, and covenant of God; about their sins and corruptions, and the prevalence of them, fearing they shall perish by them; and about their enemies, who are many, lively, and strong; I will trust in thee; trust and confidence in the Lord is the best antidote against fears; who is unchangeable in his love, in whom is everlasting strength, and who is faithful and true to every word of promise; and therefore there is great reason to trust in him, and not be afraid.
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 56:1–7
He resolves to make God his confidence, then when dangers were most threatening and all other confidences failed: "What time I am afraid, in the day of my fear, when I am most terrified from without and most timorous within, then I will trust in thee, and thereby my fears shall be silenced." Note, There are some times which are, in a special manner, times of fear with God's people; in these times it is their duty and interest to trust in God as their God, and to know whom they have trusted. This will fix the heart and keep it in peace. 2. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them (Psa 56:4): "In God I will praise, not only his work…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 56:1–4
3. In the day that I was afraid, etc. In the Hebrew, the words run in the future tense, but they must be resolved into the praeterite. He acknowledges his weakness, in so far as he was sensible of fear, but denies having yielded to it.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 56:1–6 (WEB)
1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me. 2My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me. 3When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life.
Cross references
- Psalms 34:4
- 1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
- 2 Corinthians 7:5–6
For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
- Psalms 55:4–5
- 2 Corinthians 1:8–10
For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.
- 1 Samuel 21:12
David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
- 2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek the LORD. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
- Psalms 11:1