Psalm 56 11

Psalm 56:11 kjv

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalm 56:11 nkjv

In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:11 niv

in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:11 esv

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:11 nlt

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56 verses

Psalm 56 11 Meaning

Psalm 56:11 declares a profound and settled trust in God, which results in a complete absence of fear towards human opposition or harm. It is a confident assertion that reliance on the Almighty God renders any action by man utterly powerless to ultimately disturb or defeat the believer. This verse expresses a divine security that transcends all worldly threats, placing God's sovereignty and protection above all human capabilities.

Psalm 56 11 Context

Psalm 56 is a "Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath." This refers to the historical account in 1 Samuel 21, where David, fleeing from King Saul, sought refuge in the Philistine city of Gath. He found himself in a precarious position, surrounded by enemies and in fear for his life, to the point of feigning madness to escape. The psalm vividly captures his distress (verses 1-3), his reliance on God's word (verse 4), his observation of the constant plots of his enemies (verses 5-6), and his heartfelt prayers for God's intervention and justice (verse 7). Amidst this profound personal peril, the psalm shifts to a confident declaration of trust and the eventual praise of God for deliverance (verses 10-13). Verse 11, therefore, is a pivotal declaration of faith uttered from a place of extreme vulnerability, underscoring that genuine trust in God banishes fear of human threats, even when those threats are immediate and overwhelming. It is a direct counter-statement to the common pagan beliefs in the surrounding nations that would either trust in idols, human military might, or fatalistic fear of various deities or powers. David's declaration affirms the supremacy and trustworthiness of the One True God.

Psalm 56 11 Word analysis

• In God: Hebrew: בֵּאלֹהִים (bê'lōhîm). The prefix "bê-" means "in" or "by." "Elohim" is a general Hebrew word for "God" or "gods," but when used in reference to the God of Israel, it functions as a majestic plural or singular name, indicating the One True God who is creator and supreme. Here, it emphasizes that God is the sole object and foundation of trust, indicating an intimate, foundational relationship of reliance upon His very being and character.

• I trust: Hebrew: בָּטַחְתִּי (bāṭaḥtî). This is the perfect tense of the verb "bāṭaḥ," meaning "to trust, to feel safe, to be confident, to rely upon, to put one's hope in." The perfect tense denotes a completed action with ongoing results or a settled state. It signifies a firm, unwavering, and established act of putting faith in God, not merely a momentary feeling. It implies a leaning fully on God as a refuge.

• I shall not be afraid: Hebrew: לֹא אִירָא (lō' 'îrā'). "Lō'" is the negative particle "not." "Ira" is the imperfect form of יָרֵא (yāre'), meaning "to fear, be afraid, be dreadful." The imperfect tense here indicates a continuing state or a resolute outcome: "I will not continue to fear" or "I shall not become afraid." It's a declarative consequence of his trust in God. It directly contrasts the internal emotional state (fear) with the external source of peace (God).

• What can man: Hebrew: מַה־יַּעֲשֶׂה (mah-yaʿaśeh) אָדָם (ʾāḏām). "Mah-" is "what," an interrogative pronoun. "Ya'aseh" is the imperfect form of עָשָׂה ('āśāh), "to do, make, accomplish." "Adam" (ʾāḏām) means "man, mankind, human being." The rhetorical question expresses human limitation.

• do to me?: Hebrew: לִי (lî). "Lî" means "to me." The question challenges the actual extent of man's power and intent to inflict lasting harm. It points to the impotence of human maliciousness when one is under divine protection, particularly regarding the soul and ultimate destiny.

• "In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.": This phrase establishes the causal relationship. The active, unwavering choice to trust in God directly negates the possibility of fear. This is not mere stoicism but a theological reality: the believer’s inner state is governed by their object of faith. The outcome (no fear) is a direct fruit of the input (trust in God). It contrasts absolute divine reliability with human fragility and malicious intent.

• "What can man do to me?": This is a rhetorical question that functions as a powerful affirmation. It asserts that man's capacity for harm, while real in the physical realm (as David knew, having been persecuted by Saul and captured by Philistines), is fundamentally limited and ultimately ineffectual against one whose life is secured in God. It shifts the focus from perceived human power to God's ultimate sovereignty and protective power over the believer's deepest being.

Psalm 56 11 Bonus section

The phrase "In God I trust" (or "in God is my trust") is repeated earlier in the psalm (Psalm 56:4), creating a powerful refrain that underscores the central theme of unwavering reliance. This repetition suggests that this trust is not a one-time decision but a repeated, intentional turning back to God in moments of doubt or heightened threat. This verse perfectly encapsulates the Old Testament's polemic against idolatry and self-reliance by clearly identifying the exclusive object of true confidence—the God of Israel. It lays the groundwork for later New Testament teachings on spiritual warfare, reminding believers that our battle is ultimately not against "flesh and blood" (Eph 6:12), but against spiritual forces, making human threats of secondary concern to divine power and protection. The wisdom literature frequently warns against the snare of the fear of man (Prov 29:25), a concept strongly negated by Psalm 56:11's fearless declaration.

Psalm 56 11 Commentary

Psalm 56:11 serves as the resolute anchor of David's faith amidst life-threatening circumstances. It’s a profound declaration where a terrified fugitive pivots from acute anxiety to an unshakeable confidence in God. The "I trust" is not a wish, but a definitive, settled commitment. This trust logically yields fearlessness, demonstrating that fear and faith are mutually exclusive when faith is truly centered on God. The rhetorical question, "What can man do to me?" is not dismissive of physical suffering, but a profound theological statement that human malice cannot touch the soul's ultimate security or God's purposes for His child. It shifts the focus from the horizontal plane of human power struggles to the vertical realm of God's sovereign control. This verse reminds us that even in our greatest vulnerability, our deepest security is found in God alone.

• Practical example: When facing job loss, rather than succumbing to fear and anxiety about future provisions, declare trust in God's providence.
• Practical example: When ridiculed or threatened for one's faith, rather than shrinking back, remember that man's scorn is temporary and inconsequential in light of God's approval.
• Practical example: In times of illness or physical weakness, the verse reminds that while the body is vulnerable, the spirit anchored in God is untouchable by the ultimate power of sickness or death.