In the 1989 Batman movie, Prince sings about trust as the Joker rides into Gotham in a big parade(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkRJQOITi-4 ).  He hands out free cash to the people of Gotham then The Joker asks the populace whether they trust Batman or him, since he is giving them the kind of party they have been looking for.  Twenty years later the point is still wellmade.  People trust their emotions rather than reason.  If people aren’t having a good time it colours their ability to trust.  They trust when theyfeel good.

In Psalm56 the psalmist is not having a good time.  In spite of thishis trust is stillin God.  How is this maintained.  The NIV ApplicationCommentary suggests three ways:

1. God’s word is a source of confidence for those beset by enemies.
2. The psalmist gains confidence when the enemies turn back.
3. We can be confident in the protective care of God when ‘we walk before God in the light of life (v. 13)’.

These ideas are much harder to own than to say.  In which areas are you strong?  How could you grow in trust?

Psalm56

 For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam.^[b] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

 ¹ Be merciful to me, my God,
   for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
   all day long they press their attack.
² My adversaries pursue me all day long;
   in their pride many are attacking me.

 ³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
 ⁴ In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me?

 ⁵ All day long they twist my words;
   all their schemes are for my ruin.
⁶ They conspire, they lurk,
   they watch my steps,
   hoping to take my life.
⁷ Because of their wickedness do not^[c] let them escape;
   in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

 ⁸ Record my misery;
   list my tears on your scroll^[d]—
   are they not in your record?
⁹ Then my enemies will turn back
   when I call for help.
   By this I will know that God is for me.

 ¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,
   in the LORD, whose word I praise—
¹¹ in God I trust and am not afraid.
   What can man do to me?

 ¹² I am under vows to you, my God;
   I will present my thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered me from death
   and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
   in the light of life.

Questions

1. Where are the psalmist’s enemies?
2. What role do written words play in this psalm?
3. How does the psalmist walk before God?
4. Who do you trust? Why?
5. How can trust in God be developed in peaceful times so that it is strong in timesof trial