Psalms 56:3
Psalms 56:3 in Multiple Translations
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.
In the time of my fear, I will have faith in you.
But when I'm afraid, I trust in you.
When I was afrayd, I trusted in thee.
The day I am afraid I am confident toward Thee.
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
In the time when I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
I will cry to God the most High; to God who hath done good to me.
But whenever I am afraid, I trust in you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 56:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 56:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שָׁאֲפ֣וּ
שׁ֭וֹרְרַ/י
כָּל
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
כִּֽי
רַבִּ֨ים
לֹחֲמִ֖ים
לִ֣/י
מָרֽוֹם
שָׁאֲפ֣וּ
shâʼaph
H7602
to long for
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
שׁ֭וֹרְרַ/י
shârar
H8324
enemy
N-mp | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
רַבִּ֨ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
לֹחֲמִ֖ים
lâcham
H3898
to fight
V-Qal
לִ֣/י
Prep | Suff
מָרֽוֹם
mârôwm
H4791
height
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 56:3
שָׁאֲפ֣וּ
shâʼaph
H7602
"to long for"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To crush or trample something, also to desire or hasten eagerly, as seen in Psalm 7:2. It implies a strong emotional response, like anger or intense longing. This word is used to describe God's judgment in Isaiah 13:3.
Definition: 1) to gasp, pant, pant after, long for, breathe heavily 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gasp, pant after, snuff up 1a2) to gasp or pant (with desire), pant after, be eager for 1a3) to thirst for one's blood (from actions of animals) (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: desire (earnestly), devour, haste, pant, snuff up, swallow up. See also: Job 5:5; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Psalms 56:2.
שׁ֭וֹרְרַ/י
shârar
H8324
"enemy"
N-mp | Suff
This word describes an enemy or opponent, someone who is hostile towards others, like the enemies of Israel in the Old Testament.
Definition: (Qal) to be an enemy
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: enemy. See also: Psalms 5:9; Psalms 54:7; Psalms 27:11.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
רַבִּ֨ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
לֹחֲמִ֖ים
lâcham
H3898
"to fight"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
לִ֣/י
""
Prep | Suff
מָרֽוֹם
mârôwm
H4791
"height"
N-ms
This word refers to a high or elevated place, either physically or figuratively. It can describe a location, such as a mountain, or a state of being, like pride or haughtiness. It is used in various books of the Bible.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, elevation, elevated place 1a1) in a high place (adv) 1b) height 1c) proudly (adv) 1d) of nobles (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: (far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on) high (one, place), loftily, upward. See also: Judges 5:18; Isaiah 22:16; Psalms 7:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 56:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 56:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
- Sermons on Psalms 56:3
Context — Be Merciful to Me, O God
1Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 5All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 34:4 | I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 30:6 | And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 7:5–6 | For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, |
| 4 | Psalms 55:4–5 | My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 1:8–10 | We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 20:3 | Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 21:12 | Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. |
| 8 | Psalms 11:1 | In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain! |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 21:10 | That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. |
Psalms 56:3 Summary
[Psalms 56:3 means that when we are feeling scared or worried, we can choose to trust in God instead of letting the fear take over. This is like what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart. When we put our trust in God, we are saying that we believe He is strong and loving, and that He will take care of us, just like it says in Matthew 6:33-34, where Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to put my trust in God when I am afraid?
To put our trust in God means to have confidence in His power and love, even when we are faced with fearful situations, as seen in Psalms 56:3, and as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
How can I apply this verse to my everyday life?
We can apply this verse by recognizing that fear is a natural emotion, but we don't have to let it control us; instead, we can choose to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, as expressed in Psalms 56:3, and as seen in the life of David, who trusted God in the midst of great danger, as recorded in 1 Samuel 17:37.
What is the relationship between fear and trust in this verse?
In Psalms 56:3, we see that fear and trust are not mutually exclusive; rather, it is in the midst of fear that we are called to put our trust in God, which is a theme also seen in Isaiah 41:10, where we are told not to fear, but to trust in God's help and strength.
How does this verse relate to other Bible teachings on fear and anxiety?
This verse is consistent with other teachings in the Bible, such as Philippians 4:6-7, where we are encouraged to bring our anxieties to God in prayer, and 1 Peter 5:7, where we are told to cast our cares on Him, because He cares for us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things that cause me to feel afraid, and how can I apply the principle of Psalms 56:3 to those situations?
- In what ways do I currently trust in God, and how can I deepen that trust, especially when I am feeling afraid?
- How does my trust in God affect my relationships with others, and how can I demonstrate that trust in my interactions with them?
- What are some Bible verses or promises that I can recall when I am feeling afraid, and how can I use those to bolster my trust in God?
Gill's Exposition 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. What, time I am afraid, I will trust in thee - literally, 'what, day.' As 'man daily oppresseth me' (Psalms 56:1), so 'everyday, when I am afraid, I trust
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
When I have the greater cause of fear, I will rely upon thy providence and promise for my deliverance.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.Ver. 3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee] This was bravely resolved: Quid timet hominem homo in sinu Dei positus? Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear; but awful dread, it breedeth, feedeth, fostereth, and cherisheth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
(3) What time.—Heb., yôm, apparently with same meaning as beyôm in Psalms 56:10, “in the day.” I am afraid . . .—No doubt the right reading: is, “I cry.”
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:3
3. What time &c.] Lit., In the day that I am afraid. David’s sojourn in Gath is the only occasion on which he is recorded to have been afraid of man (1 Samuel 21:12; but cp. Psalms 18:4). I will trust in thee] R.V., I will put my trust in thee, as in A.V. Psalms 56:4. I is emphatic; they trust in their own might, but I will trust in Thee. The preposition, which is different from that in Psalms 56:4, gives a delicate shade of meaning, ‘I will trustfully betake myself to Thee.’ “Each day of peril should be to him a discipline of faith.” Kay.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:3
What time I am afraid - literally, “the day I am afraid.” David did not hesitate to admit that there were times when he was afraid. He saw himself to be in danger, and he had apprehensions as to the result.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:3
3. What time I am afraid—The history informs us, “David… was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.” 1 Samuel 21:12. I will trust in thee—Never was childlike confidence in the moment of danger more beautifully illustrated.
Sermons on Psalms 56:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
His Eye Is on the Sparrow by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the presence of Christ and how the Lord spoke to him. He presents a scenario where a person is faced with the option to quit and share thei |
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(1 Samuel) God Helps the Undeserving by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of having accurate maps in our lives. He gives examples of tragic events caused by inaccurate maps, such as a pilot crashing in |
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What Can You Do? by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fear and uncertainty that many people feel in the current world, particularly in relation to issues such as terrorism and moral decay. He |
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Giving True Praise to God by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the Bible reading from Acts 4, where the Apostle Peter and John stood fearlessly before the high priest. The reason for their courage was th |
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Remember the Lord by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker encourages the audience to not be afraid and to remember the greatness and awesomeness of the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of fighting for one's f |
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The Fellowship of Christ's Suffering by Carter Conlon | This sermon focuses on the Fellowship of Christ's Suffering as outlined in 1 Peter chapter 5. The speaker emphasizes the need for believers to be sober and vigilant against the adv |
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a.b. Simpson Quotes by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the distinction between superficial and mature Christians, noting that true maturity comes from a close relationship with the Lord, which alleviates fears a |