Psalms 56:13 - Homiletics

The experience of God's mercy a ground for hope.

"Thou hast delivered," etc. (Authorized Version). The Revisers have filled up the ellipsis in the Hebrew, "Hast thou not delivered?" instead of "Wilt thou not deliver?" The Hebrew has simply "not," with a word expressing a question. It is one of many cases where the instructed English reader may judge for himself, as well as the Hebrew scholar. Certainly the Authorized Version gives a much more full and harmonious sense, and accords with the analogy of Psalms 56:8 —prayer founded on experience, following praise. Thus therefore we will take it—the experience of God's redeeming mercy a ground for hope, and a plea in prayer.

I. HERE IS THANKFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF GOD 'S GREAT GOODNESS . The title, though no part of the psalm, gives (as in other cases) an ancient Jewish tradition as to the special danger from which David had been delivered. David had carried a dangerous trophy with him to the court of Gath—the sword of Goliath. The Philistine chiefs were prompt to point out who this fugitive was. A word from Achish would have avenged the giant's death. But "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord" ( Proverbs 21:1 ). David was soon breathing the free air of the desert, and looked back with a shudder of horror, but with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness ( Psalms 56:3 ). Some of us can take up these words in their literal sense. You remember when the icy breath of death seemed to chill your blood; the gate of death seemed just ready to roll back on its noiseless hinges, and shut behind you. But God locked it fast. The good Shepherd led you through the dark valley, out into the sunshine. You are the living, to praise him. Others have no such special experience. But what is life but a series of escapes? What is health but the perpetual warding off of death; safety, but hourly deliverance?

"Strange that a harp of thousand strings

Should keep in tune so long!"

The unfailing, unsleeping care of God's Fatherly providence does not strike and amaze us as do miracles; but it is no less wonderful ( Lamentations 3:22 , Lamentations 3:23 ). Every real Christian can read in these words a deeper and higher meaning. Deliverance from the death that parts soul and body is but a reprieve—perhaps brief. Death remains to be faced; and behind death, all that makes it indeed terrible. But to the believer in Christ the character of death is wholly changed. The outside show remains; dust must return to dust; the earthly tabernacle must be taken down. But the sting, the terror, the power, of death are gone. Christ has "abolished death" ( 2 Timothy 1:10 ) forevery one who can say, "Christ liveth in me." The coming of the last enemy shall be as though an executioner, axe on shoulder, entered the cell of a condemned prisoner. The axe is lifted—it falls, but only on the chain. The dark visitor takes the prisoner by the hand, and leads him into air and sunlight; and, lo! he drops his mask and jailor's garb, flings aside his blunted axe—he is the messenger sent to lead the pardoned offender into the King's presence. "Death!" the Christian may say; "grim sentinel at the gate of immortality; silent porter at the door of my Father's house; my flesh shudders at thee, but my spirit fears thee not. Jesus has conquered thee for me. Because he lives, I shall live also!"

II. PAST DELIVERANCE THUS THANKFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED FURNISHES AN ARGUMENT FOR HOPE , AND A PLEA IN PRAYER . "Wilt thou not," etc.? "I beseech thee to do so: I am sure thou wilt." It is an argument from the greater to the less; like St. Paul's in Romans 8:32 . A remarkable and powerful argument, because based on the faithfulness of God's character and the continuity of his dealings. Can he awaken hope only to disappoint? If he has raised a soul from death, reconciled a sinner to himself through the death of Jesus, taught him by his own Spirit to pray, trust, love,—can he forget to be gracious? Impossible! Is it, then, impossible for a believer to fall—for a soul once saved to perish? Not only possible, but inevitable, if left to himself. But surely that is the wrong question to put. Will the Saviour forsake a soul that wholly trusts him? Christ's answer is given ( John 10:28-30 ; 2 Timothy 1:12 ). This logic of taith the psalmist turns into the rhetoric of prayer. The arrows of prayer, feathered with praise for blessings already received, fly swift and sure: because those blessings are the earnest of others, failing which they would be useless ( Philippians 4:6 ). May we apply this argument to temporal, earthly blessings as well as spiritual? Assuredly; provided always we bear in mind the ruling aim of God's Fatherly guidance. We are travellers, not tourists; our route must be chosen mainly, not for the pleasure of the scenery, but as the right road to our home. But when God led his people through the wilderness, he did not forget the daily manna and the water springs, the cloud by day and the fire by night ( Matthew 6:31-33 ).