Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
    all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
    for many fight against me.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I am not afraid;
    what can flesh do to me?
All day long they seek to injure my cause;
    all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk,
    they watch my steps.
As they hoped to have my life,
so repay them for their crime;
    in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
You have kept count of my tossings;
    put my tears in your bottle.
    Are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will retreat
    in the day when I call.
    This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid.
    What can a mere mortal do to me?
My vows to you I must perform, O God;
    I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
    and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

Psalm 56 serves as a wonderful reminder of how important it is to trust in God, even when things are going against us. Early in the Psalm, we hear that when we put our trust in the Lord, we have no reason to fear. We know that in the face of persecution, God remains with us and when God is with us, there is nothing that any mortal can do to us. The Psalm concludes a call to thanksgiving in response to God’s presence. God knows us and our journey through life. God knows when you are having a tough time and is with you in those moments just as God is with you in the joyous ones as well. How comforting it is to know that our Creator and Savior is with us in all moments of life. Truly, we have nothing to fear, even on the bad days. May we find ways to recognize God’s presence in our lives today, be grateful, and be at peace.

Prayer

Loving God, thank You for always walking with us. Strengthen us when times are difficult to know that You are faithful. Help us to put our trust in You and to give thanks for your steadfast love and goodness. Help us to share Your love with others today. Amen.