Psalm 56 9

Psalm 56:9

ESV: Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.

KJV: When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

NIV: Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

NKJV: When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.

NLT: My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!

Meaning

Psalm 56:9 expresses a profound confidence that upon the psalmist's prayer, his enemies will be decisively defeated, for he possesses the assured knowledge that God is unequivocally on his side. This verse marks a pivotal transition in the psalm, moving from lament and fear to a declarative statement of faith and certain expectation of divine intervention and victory.

Cross References

Context

Psalm 56 is a "Miktam of David," specified to be from "when the Philistines seized him in Gath." This historical context refers to David's desperate flight from King Saul, which led him to seek refuge among the Philistines, the traditional enemies of Israel (1 Sam 21:10-15). This was a period of intense peril and uncertainty for David, where he was trapped between Saul's persecution and the threat of the Philistines who recognized him as the one "of whom they sing in dances, Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (1 Sam 21:11). To survive, David famously feigned madness.

Within the psalm, verses 1-8 are a fervent lament, detailing the relentless oppression and malicious plots of his enemies. David feels continually tracked, attacked, and his words twisted. He pours out his fear and tears before God, confident that God records his every sorrow. Verse 9 represents a turning point, a breakthrough of faith amidst the crisis. It contrasts the surrounding lament by declaring absolute certainty of divine intervention and personal victory. It is the solid bedrock of conviction that emerges from David's lament and forms the basis for the renewed vows and praise found in the subsequent verses (10-13), underscoring his decision to praise and trust God despite his dire circumstances, because he knows God is with him.

Word Analysis

• Then (אָז - 'az): This Hebrew adverb marks a temporal and logical consequence. It signifies that the action of the enemies turning back is a definite result that will follow "when I call." It highlights a cause-and-effect relationship anchored in divine faithfulness.
• my enemies (אֹיְבַי - 'oyevay): Plural form of "enemy" (אָיֵב - 'ayeb), indicating multiple adversaries, a sustained opposition. This includes not only the literal Philistines but also all those who oppose David or, broadly, oppose God's people and His purposes.
• will turn back (יִסֹּגוּ - yisogu): This verb is derived from נָסַג (nasag), meaning "to retreat," "to draw back," or "to recede." The imperfect tense indicates a future certainty of their flight, humiliation, and abandonment of their attack. It implies a complete and decisive reversal of their aggression, forced by divine power.
• in the day (בְּיוֹם - b'yom): This phrase often refers not merely to a literal 24-hour period but to "the moment," "the time," or "the very instant." It emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of God's response to prayer. When David calls, the retreat begins.
• when I call (אֶקְרָא - eqra): From קָרָא (qara), "to call," "to cry out," "to invoke," often in prayer or desperate plea. This word signifies David's direct and urgent appeal to God. It highlights human prayer as the catalyst for God's promised action. It underscores a responsive God.
• This I know (זֹאת יָדַעְתִּי - zot yadati): This is a strong, declarative statement expressing an unshakable certainty. "Yadati" (יָדַעְתִּי) is the perfect tense of יָדַע (yada), meaning "to know," implying a settled, experiential, and complete understanding, not just a hope or a belief. It's knowledge derived from a relationship with God and past experience of His faithfulness.
• that God is for me (כִּי־אֱלֹהִים לִי - ki Elohim li):
  • כִּי (ki): "because," "that," indicating the reason for David's certainty.
  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): The generic but powerful name for God, emphasizing His might, sovereignty, and creator status. It refers to the one true God of Israel.
  • לִי (li): "for me," "to me," indicating ownership or benefit. This short, critical particle signifies that God is on David's side, actively advocating and working on his behalf. It speaks to God's partisan support, His covenant faithfulness, and His protective alliance with His servant. This personal and possessive declaration is the very foundation of David's unshakeable assurance.

Commentary

Psalm 56:9 stands as a potent declaration of faith born from deep distress. David, surrounded by life-threatening enemies in Gath, asserts with absolute certainty that his cries to God will trigger immediate divine intervention, causing his foes to flee. This conviction is not mere wishful thinking but stems from an experiential knowledge that the mighty, sovereign God is "for him"—meaning God is aligned with him, is his active defender, and fights on his behalf. This foundational truth allows David to transition from a place of lament to a stance of unshakeable assurance. It highlights the profound efficacy of sincere prayer when rooted in an intimate, knowing relationship with God, where the believer understands God's steadfast character and active engagement in their life. The verse challenges believers to move from fearful pleading to confident expectation, remembering that the God of creation is passionately "for" those who trust in Him, rendering human adversaries impotent. It encourages believers that in the face of fear, knowing God's active presence and alignment fundamentally alters one's perspective and empowers faith to overcome.

Bonus section

• The psalm's title, a "Miktam," often implies a Psalm that brings profound truth or even a golden saying, which verse 9 clearly embodies through its central affirmation of God's unwavering support.
• This verse represents a spiritual principle: true security is not found in escaping threats or relying on human ingenuity (like feigning madness, which David did in Gath), but in the conscious, internal conviction of God's active alignment with oneself.
• The phrase "God is for me" becomes a battle cry for those in spiritual warfare. It undergirds Paul's famous rhetorical question in Rom 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?", echoing David's ancient confidence. This profound theological statement carries through the entire Biblical narrative as the assurance of God's people in all ages.
• David's certainty is contrasted with his earlier "fear" (Psa 56:3-4). This verse shows how putting one's trust in God transforms fear into assured knowing, a critical psychological and spiritual shift in a person facing severe adversity.

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