Psalm 56:3

Be Merciful to Me, O God · Psalm 56:1–13
Read Psalm 56

Translations

Modern
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
Traditional
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Literal
On the day I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Latin
Ab altitudine diei timebo: ego vero in te sperabo.

Original

Hebrew
English
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

Notes

In this lament, the psalmist first asks for help and then expresses confidence in God. This pattern occurs two times (Psalm 56:1–4, 5–13).

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Parallels

1 Samuel 21:8–15

Glossary

David Jonath-Elem-Rechokim Michtam Miktam Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Faith: Exemplified Nervousness Overcoming Fear Surgery