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Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
2My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.
3When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
4In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
5All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.
Notice
“When I am afraid” makes room for fear within a confession of trust, without suggesting that David’s enemies have stopped threatening him.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What fear would you name before praying David’s words today?
Write on thisWhat might putting your trust in God look like while that fear remains?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 34:4I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.Both passages turn toward God in fear; Psalm 34 recounts an answer and deliverance, while Psalm 56 expresses trust amid fear.
1 Samuel 30:6David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his …David turns to God under threat in both passages, expressing trust in the psalm and finding strength amid threatened stoning.
Psalm 27:13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Both psalms express confidence in God, with Psalm 27 naming the hope of seeing his goodness among the living.
2 Corinthians 7:5–6For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.Both passages acknowledge fear amid outward conflict; the supplied words from Corinthians describe distress without yet describing relief.
Psalm 42:5Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.Both psalms turn toward God amid inner trouble, expressing trust in Psalm 56 and hope for saving help in Psalm 42.
Psalm 55:4–5My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.Both psalms speak openly of fear, with Psalm 55 naming the terrors of death and Psalm 56 expressing trust.
John 14:27Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.Fear is addressed in both passages: David puts his trust in God, and Jesus gives peace and tells his hearers not to fear.
2 Corinthians 1:8–10For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our …Both passages acknowledge distress; the supplied words from Corinthians describe despair for life, while Psalm 56 names fear and trust.
1 Samuel 21:12David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.Gath and David’s fear connect these passages: the psalm’s heading names his capture there, and Samuel names his fear of Achish.
2 Chronicles 20:3Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek the LORD. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.Fear leads to a turn toward God in both passages: David expresses trust, and Jehoshaphat sets himself to seek the LORD.
1 Samuel 21:10David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.Gath links the psalm’s setting with David’s flight from Saul, and both passages name fear.
Nehemiah 6:9For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.Both passages describe fear under human threat and a turn toward God, through David’s trust and Nehemiah’s plea for strength.
Where this verse fits
Anxiety or panic. fear for the future.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Fear does not have to disappear before you turn to God. David speaks his trust while danger remains; God is the one he trusts.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).