Psalms 56:4
Psalms 56:4 in Multiple Translations
In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?
In God will I give praise to his word; in God have I put my hope; I will have no fear of what flesh may do to me.
I thank God for his promises. I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?
I will reioyce in God, because of his word, I trust in God, and will not feare what flesh can doe vnto me.
In God I praise His word, in God I have trusted, I fear not what flesh doth to me.
In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.
He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth,
God, I praise/thank you because you do what you have promised; I trust in you, and then I am not afraid. Ordinary humans certainly cannot [RHQ] harm me!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 56:4
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 56:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
י֥וֹם
אִירָ֑א
אֲ֝נִ֗י
אֵלֶ֥י/ךָ
אֶבְטָֽח
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
אִירָ֑א
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
אֲ֝נִ֗י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
אֵלֶ֥י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
אֶבְטָֽח
bâṭach
H982
to trust
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 56:4
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
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.
אִירָ֑א
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
אֲ֝נִ֗י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
אֵלֶ֥י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֶבְטָֽח
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 56:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 56:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
- Sermons on Psalms 56:4
Context — Be Merciful to Me, O God
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. 6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 13:6 | So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” |
| 2 | Psalms 118:6 | The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? |
| 3 | Romans 8:31–39 | What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
| 4 | Psalms 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread? |
| 5 | Isaiah 41:10 | Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. |
| 6 | Psalms 56:10–11 | In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? |
| 7 | Luke 12:4–5 | I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! |
| 8 | Psalms 46:1–2 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, |
| 9 | Isaiah 31:3 | But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together. |
| 10 | Psalms 119:89–90 | Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. |
Psalms 56:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that when we trust in God and His word, we don't have to be afraid of what people can do to us. As it says in Psalm 23:4, even when we walk through the darkest valley, God is with us, and that gives us the courage to face any challenge. By trusting in God's power and promises, we can find peace and confidence, just like the psalmist did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to trust in God's word?
Trusting in God's word means having faith in the power and promises of Scripture, just as Psalm 56:4 says, and as seen in Psalm 119:42, where the psalmist finds comfort in God's word when faced with enemies.
How can I not be afraid when I'm surrounded by enemies?
By trusting in God, as the verse says, and remembering that He is our refuge and strength, as stated in Psalm 46:1, we can find peace and courage in the midst of adversity.
What can man do to me if I'm a child of God?
According to Romans 8:31, if God is for us, no one can be against us, and as Psalm 56:4 asks, 'What can man do to me?' - implying that with God on our side, human opposition is ultimately powerless.
How does this verse relate to my everyday life?
This verse reminds us that, just like the psalmist, we can face our daily challenges and fears with confidence in God's presence and power, as seen in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises to strengthen and help us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle to trust God, and how can I apply the promise of Psalm 56:4 to those situations?
- How do I respond when I'm afraid or surrounded by enemies, and what can I learn from the psalmist's example in this verse?
- In what ways can I praise God's word, as the psalmist does in this verse, and how can that praise strengthen my faith?
- What are some promises from God's word that I can hold onto when I'm facing fear or adversity, and how can I use those promises to overcome them?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:4
In God I will praise his word,.... Or praise him for his words for the whole Scripture that was then in being; for those testimonies which were David's counsellors in times of difficulty and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:4
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. In God I will praise his word - i:e., trusting "in God, I will praise His word." So Psalms 56:10 expands this clause.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
In God I will praise his word: the sense is, either, 1. I will praise or boast in the Lord’ s word, or the Lord for his word. Or, 2. With or by the Lord (i.e. by his favour or help) I will praise his word. Or rather, 3. This, as I humbly conceive: There are many things to be praised and celebrated in God, his power and wisdom, &c.; but amongst all, and above all, I shall at this time praise him for his word, which he hath magnified above all his name, as is said, , even for his promises of protection and deliverance made to his people in all their exigencies, and particularly and especially for that promise of the kingdom made to me; for which I will now praise him, because I am as sure of its accomplishment as if I had it already in mine hand. Flesh; infirm and mortal men, altogether unable to oppose thy infinite Majesty; called flesh by way of contempt, as .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
Psalms 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Ver. 4. In God I will praise his word] Having placed my confidence in God, I will take his bare word for my security. He hath promised to make me king, 1 Samuel 16:13, and he will not suffer his faithfulness to fail, or alter the thing that is gone out of his mouth, Psalms 89:33. The word of God cannot be broken, John 5:35. David once doubted it, but he soon took himself up for halting, Psalms 116:11. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me] Flesh is terminus diminuens. What can proud flesh do against the God of the spirits of all flesh? Man is but despicable flesh at the best.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
(4) In God.—This verse, which forms the refrain (Psalms 56:11-12 are wrongly separated), is as it stands hardly intelligible, and the text is rendered suspicious by the fact that the LXX. read “my words,” instead of “his word,” and by the omission of the suffix altogether in Psalms 56:11, where the first clause of the refrain is doubled. The obvious treatment of the verse is to take the construction as in Psalms 44:8, “I praise God with my word,” i.e., in spite of all my enemies I find words to praise God. I will not.—Rather, I fear not What can flesh do?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
Verse 4. In God I will praise his word] באלהים belohim may mean here, through God, or by the help of God, I will praise his word. And, that he should have cause to do it, he says, "In God I have put my trust," and therefore he says, "I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." Man is but FLESH, weak and perishing; God is an infinite SPIRIT, almighty and eternal. He repeats this sentiment in the tenth and eleventh verses. Psalms 56:10-11
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:4
4. in God I will praise his word] In God’s strength, by the help of His grace, I shall be enabled to praise His words of promise (Psalms 130:5). Cp. Psalms 44:8. This rendering is preferable to the possible alternative, In God do I make my boast, even in his word. in God &c.] R.V., In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; what can flesh do unto me? Flesh, synonymous with man in Psalms 56:11, denotes man on the material side of his nature, as a frail and perishable being, contrasted with God the Eternal and Almighty. Cp. Psalms 78:39; Genesis 6:3; Job 10:4; Isaiah 40:5-6; Jeremiah 17:5.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:4
In God I will praise his word - The meaning of this seems to be, “In reference to God - or, in my trust on God - I will especially have respect to his “word” - his gracious promise; I will make that
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:4
4. In God I will praise his word—God’s “word,” here, probably refers specially to that spoken by Samuel when he anointed him, 1 Samuel 16:13; and also probably at Ramah, 1 Samuel 19:18, by which
Sermons on Psalms 56:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Comfort in Spirit by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's word and not fearing what others can do to us. She encourages believers to hold fast to God in all circumstances |
|
Let Compassion Swallow Your Fear by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about injuring his arm while running to the house. Despite the pain, he continued to preach the gospel with his son-in-law outsi |
|
Facing Your Fears - Part 1 by Danny Bond | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jesus sending his disciples into a boat and commanding them to go to the other side of the lake. The disciples obey Jesus and be |
|
Faith That Overcomes by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of faith, overcoming through faith, confessing God's promises, and living a life surrendered to God. It highlights the victory in overcoming b |
|
|
Through the Bible - Hebrews - Part 4 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of striving against sin, just as Jesus did. He encourages the listeners to have an attitude of being willing to shed their bl |
|
Why Is Gods Strength Made Perfect in Our Weakness by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, highlighting that our weaknesses can be used by God for His glory. It encourages believers to step out in faith |
|
The Throne of Grace by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of getting to a specific place, which he refers to as "there." He encourages the audience to focus on this place and hold fir |