Sharper Iron — Spring into the Psalms - Psalm 56: What Can Man Do to Me?

As David’s enemies attack him on every side all day long, he puts his trust in God. The Word of God is the Christian’s praise and trust so that there is no need to fear the power of man, which cannot conquer God and His Word. As the enemies of God persecute His people, God personally knows each of their sufferings so that His people can be certain that God is for them and live according to His Word in thanksgiving for all that He has done.

Rev. Sam Beltz, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 56.

To learn more about St. John Lutheran, visit stjohnosky.org.

Join Sharper Iron this spring to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 56

In God I Trust

To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

[1] Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;

all day long an attacker oppresses me;

[2] my enemies trample on me all day long,

for many attack me proudly.

[3] When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you.

[4] In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can flesh do to me?

[5] All day long they injure my cause;

all their thoughts are against me for evil.

[6] They stir up strife, they lurk;

they watch my steps,

as they have waited for my life.

[7] For their crime will they escape?

In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

[8] You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

[9] Then my enemies will turn back

in the day when I call.

This I 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; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

[12] I must perform my vows to you, O God;

I will render thank offerings to you.

[13] For you have delivered my soul from death,

yes, my feet from falling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).