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Bible Chapter Summary

Psalms 56 Summary

Mercy in Trust, Tears in God's Bottle

The psalmist begs God for mercy as enemies constantly oppress and fight against him daily. When afraid, he trusts in God. Though enemies wrest his words and hide waiting for his soul, he will not fear what flesh can do. The psalmist acknowledges that God records his wanderings and collects his tears in a bottle, keeping count of them in His book. When the psalmist cries to God, his enemies turn back, for God is for him. The psalmist vows to render praises to God, believing that God has delivered his soul from death and will deliver his feet from falling.

Key themes

Trust in God during fearGod's care for the afflictedGod's record of sufferingDeliverance from death

Key verses

Psalms 56:3

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalms 56:8

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalms 56:9

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Psalms 56:13

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?

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