When I am afraid, I will trust

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hymns & psalms
hymns & psalms (Photo credit: khrawlings)
David was in Gath and had feigned himself mad. His faith was not strong enough to keep him from an unworthy disguise, but still faith was there, and this psalm states that, vv. 3, 4, 11. The background to the psalm is found in 2 Samuel 21:18ff, the same as for Psalm 34. It is a strange combination—feigning madness in terror, and compiling psalms in heroic trust. The existence of fear with trust is acknowledged by the psalmist, v. 3. There are two main sections to the psalm, each ending with the same refrain, vv. 4, 10, 11. In both he passes from fear to confidence and that because of trust in God.

He prays for mercy, v. 1, and that because of his enemies who surround him like voracious animals, vv. 1, 2. His fear is a reality, yet it is a blessed fear that drives us to trust, v. 3. Trust may vanquish fear, or may like Peter, as he was drowning, have strength only to cry, ‘Lord save me, I perish’. Faith does not make us cease to be men with men’s emotions, but in the very midst of fear there comes to us a still small voice which says, ‘Fear not, for I am with thee’.

The psalmist is very emphatic about his trust. Note the first pronoun singular in verse 4. Note, too, the repetition of the words ‘in God’. His faith is valid because of the faithfulness of the One in whom he trusts.

Then he returns to his present distress, v. 5, and to his enemies who misrepresent his words and seek his destruction. He spreads his case before the Lord and puts himself under divine protection. He encourages himself by describing the tenderness of his God. God knew all about the wanderings of his life and the insecurity. God kept an exact account of those wanderings. His tears, registered in heaven, were precious in God’s sight. What a sweet thought is here suggested of God’s remembrance of His people’s afflictions. No tear of any child of God falls unnoticed, or is forgotten by Him.

Against all adversaries, God is for him, v. 9; cf. Rom. 8:31. The end of the psalm shows that faith has banished fear and replaced it with exuberant confidence. Deliverance is so sure that he thinks of preparing his sacrifice of praise. How good it is to render thanks to God for good received.


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