Quotes from The Treasury of David - Psalm 56

Psalm 56. Verse 1.--"He fighting daily."  There is no morning on which we can arise and go forth into the world, and say, "No enemy will come out against me to-day."  There is no night in which we can retire from that world, and think to find safety in the solitude of our own chambers, and say, "No evil can enter here." -- Barton Bouchier, in Manna in the Heart," 1855.

Verse 3.--"What time I am afraid," etc.  A divine spark may live in a smoke of doubts without a speedy rising into a flame.  When grace is at the bottom of doubting, there will be reliance on Christ and lively petitions to him.  Peter's faith staggers when he began to sink, but he casts a look and sends forth a cry to the Saviour, acknowledging his sufficiency;  Matt. xiv. 30, "Lord, save me."  Sometimes those doubtings strengthen our trust and make us take hold faster on God.  Ps. lvi. 3, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."  This was a fear of himself or others, rather than a jealousy of God.  Had he had unworthy suspicions of him, he would not have trusted him; he would not have run for remedy to the object of his fear.  The waverings where faith is, are like the tossings of a ship fast at anchor (still there is a relying upon God), not like a boat carried by the waves of those doubtings, it is not an evil heart of unbelief.  Such doubtings consist with the indwelling of the Spirit, who is in the heart, to perform the office of a Comforter against such fears and to expel those thick fumes of nature. --Stephen Charnock.

Verse 4.--"I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."  Fear not man, he is but flesh.  Thou needest not, thou oughtest not to fear. . . . Flesh can only wound flesh; he may kill thee, but not hurt thee.  Why shouldest thou fear to be stripped of that which thou hast resigned already to Christ?  It is the first lesson thou learnest, if a Christian, to deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow thy master; so that the enemy comes too late; thou hast no life to lose, because thou hast given it already to Christ; nor can man take away that without God's leave; all thou hast is insured; and though God hath not promised thee immunity from suffering tin this kind, yet he hath undertaken to bear the loss, yea, to pay thee a hundredfold, and thou shalt not stay for it till another world. . . . God feels himself reproached when his children fear a sorry man; therefore we are bid sanctify the Lord, not to fear their fear. --William Gurnall.

Verse 4.--(last clause).--Fear of man--grim idol, bloody mouthed; many souls has he devoured and trampled down into hell!  His eyes are full of hatred to Christ's disciples.  Scoffs and jeers lurk in his eye.  The laugh of the scorner growls in his throat.  Cast down this idol.  This keeps some of you from secret prayer, from worshipping God in your family, from going to lay your case before ministers, from openly confessing Christ.  You that have felt God's love and Spirit, dash this idol to pieces.  "Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die?"  "Fear not, thou worm Jacob."  "What have I to do any more with idols?" --Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 1813-1843.