Psalms 56:10

KJV

In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.

KJV (with Strong's)

In God {H430} will I praise {H1984}{H8762)} his word {H1697}: in the LORD {H3068} will I praise {H1984}{H8762)} his word {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In God - I praise his word -in ADONAI - I praise his word -

Berean Standard Bible

In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

American Standard Version

In God (I will praise his word), In Jehovah (I will praise his word),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 56:10 stands as a powerful declaration of David's unwavering commitment to praise God's revealed truth, even in the throes of extreme personal danger and fear. This verse beautifully articulates a profound trust in God's word as a steadfast anchor, emphasizing that genuine faith praises God not based on favorable circumstances, but on the immutable character and reliable promises of the Almighty, expressed through His divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 56 is categorized as a "Michtam of David," often translated as a "golden psalm" or an "engraved psalm," suggesting a psalm of deep significance and lasting truth. It is a lament psalm, characterized by David's cries for deliverance from his enemies (e.g., [Psalms 56:1-2](/psalms/56-1 "Psalm 56:1-2 - David's Plea for Mercy")) and expressions of fear (e.g., [Psalms 56:3](/psalms/56-3 "Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I will trust in you")). However, it consistently pivots to declarations of trust and confidence in God, often marked by the refrain, "In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid" ([Psalms 56:4](/psalms/56-4 "Psalm 56:4 - Trusting God in Fear") and [Psalms 56:11](/psalms/56-11 "Psalm 56:11 - I will not be afraid")). Verse 10, with its emphatic repetition, serves as a central pillar of this trust, reinforcing David's resolute decision to praise God's word despite his perilous circumstances, thereby anchoring the entire psalm's message of faith amidst adversity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalm 56 explicitly links it to a specific, harrowing period in David's life: "when the Philistines seized him in Gath." This event is detailed in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Flees to Gath"). Having fled King Saul's relentless pursuit, David sought refuge in Gath, the city of Goliath, among his traditional enemies, the Philistines. This was an act of desperation, as he found himself recognized and in imminent peril of being killed or imprisoned. To escape, David feigned madness, drooling on his beard and scrabbling on doors, a behavior that was culturally interpreted as a sign of divine affliction or mental instability, leading King Achish to expel him. This backdrop of extreme vulnerability, fear for his life, and reliance on a desperate ruse amplifies the profound nature of his declaration in [Psalms 56:10](/psalms/56-10 "Psalm 56:10 - David's Praise for God's Word"), showcasing a faith that transcends immediate, terrifying circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 56, and particularly verse 10, powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it underscores the **unwavering praise for God's word** as a deliberate act of faith, not a reaction to comfort, demonstrating that true worship is rooted in God's immutable character and revealed will. Secondly, it highlights **profound trust in God's promises**, emphasizing that David's praise stems from a deep-seated conviction in the reliability and truth of what God has spoken, providing solace and certainty in distress. Thirdly, the verse's dual mention of "God" (Hebrew: *Elohim*) and "LORD" (Hebrew: *Yahweh*) points to the **significance of God's names**, signifying a comprehensive trust in both God's universal power and sovereignty over all creation, and His personal, covenantal faithfulness to His people. Finally, God's word is presented as a **source of strength and deliverance**, not merely a concept, but a dynamic force that provides comfort, guidance, and the assurance of ultimate rescue from enemies, a theme woven throughout the entire psalm, from David's initial plea for mercy in [Psalms 56:1](/psalms/56-1 "Psalm 56:1 - Be merciful to me, O God") to his ultimate vow of thanksgiving in [Psalms 56:12](/psalms/56-12 "Psalm 56:12 - I will pay my vows to you, O God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _'Elohim'_):** This is the generic Hebrew term for God, often used to emphasize His power, might, and role as Creator and sovereign ruler over all creation. Its use here highlights God's universal authority and majesty, indicating that David's trust is in the supreme, all-powerful Deity.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (e.g., [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). It emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, His intimate relationship with His people, and His unchanging character. The juxtaposition with *'Elohim'* underscores the completeness of David's trust in both God's supreme power and His personal, relational faithfulness.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** The Hebrew word *dabar* is exceptionally rich in meaning. It refers not merely to spoken words or individual utterances, but encompasses God's promises, decrees, commands, and His entire revealed will and active communication. To praise God's "word" is to praise His truth, His faithfulness, His power to accomplish what He has spoken, and the very essence of His revealed character. It signifies God's active engagement with humanity through His divine communication.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _halal'_):** This verb means to boast, commend, celebrate, or shine forth. It's an active, often exuberant, declaration of God's greatness, worthiness, and commendable attributes. It is the root of the word "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah!). In this context, it signifies David's deliberate and joyful affirmation of God's word, not as a passive acknowledgment, but as an active proclamation of its truth and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In God will I praise [his] word":** This clause begins with a declaration of trust in "God" (*'Elohim'*), emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on the universally powerful and sovereign Deity. The phrase "will I praise [his] word" signifies a resolute, future-oriented commitment to celebrate and declare the truth, reliability, and effectiveness of God's revealed will. The bracketed "his" in the KJV indicates it is implied in the Hebrew, meaning "His word" or "the word concerning Him." This initial statement sets the tone for a faith that is grounded in God's majestic power, even when circumstances are dire.
* **"in the LORD will I praise [his] word":** This second clause mirrors the first, but strategically substitutes "God" with "the LORD" (*Yahweh*), God's personal, covenantal name. The repetition of "will I praise [his] word" is not redundant but emphatic, intensifying the declaration. By invoking *Yahweh*, David underscores his trust in God's faithfulness to His promises and His unwavering commitment to His people, particularly in times of distress. This double declaration signifies a comprehensive and absolute trust in every facet of God's character and revelation, affirming that His word, whether viewed through His universal power or His covenant faithfulness, is entirely worthy of praise and reliance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 56:10 is a masterclass in the use of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**. The verse repeats the same core idea – the psalmist's commitment to praise God's word – using slightly different but semantically equivalent divine names ("God" and "the LORD"). This repetition serves to intensify the declaration and underscore its certainty and profundity. Furthermore, the deliberate **Repetition** of the phrase "will I praise [his] word" emphasizes the psalmist's unwavering resolve and the central importance of God's revelation. While not a strict merism, the use of both *'Elohim'* (God's universal power) and *Yahweh* (God's covenant faithfulness) can be seen as encompassing the totality of God's character, implying a complete and all-encompassing trust in every aspect of His being and His word. This literary structure not only creates a memorable and impactful statement but also deepens the theological richness of the verse, highlighting the comprehensive nature of David's faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 56:10 provides a profound theological insight into the nature of God's word and the believer's response to it. It teaches that God's word is not merely a collection of ancient texts, but a living, active, and utterly reliable revelation of God's character, promises, and will. David's declaration to "praise [his] word" even when facing death signifies that faith in God's word transcends circumstances; it is an active choice to affirm God's truth as more real and powerful than any immediate threat. This theological understanding underpins the entire biblical narrative, where God's spoken word is consistently portrayed as the source of creation, covenant, salvation, and ultimate victory. It is the foundation upon which all hope and trust are built, demonstrating that God's integrity is intrinsically tied to the faithfulness of His word.

* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Settled")
* [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Grass Withers, the Flower Fades, but the Word of Our God Stands Forever")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 56:10 offers profound encouragement and a practical model for believers navigating life's inevitable trials. David's resolute declaration to praise God's word, even when his life hung by a thread, challenges us to cultivate a faith that is not contingent on comfortable circumstances but anchored in the unchanging truth of God's revelation. In a world filled with shifting sands of opinion, fear, and uncertainty, God's word remains the firm foundation. To "praise His word" is an act of deliberate faith, choosing to affirm God's promises and character above our feelings or immediate realities. It means internalizing His truth, allowing it to shape our perspective, and actively declaring its reliability. This practice strengthens our own faith, provides comfort in distress, and serves as a powerful testimony to others of God's unwavering faithfulness. Like David, we are called to comprehensive trust, embracing both God's majestic power (*Elohim*) and His personal, covenantal faithfulness (*Yahweh*), knowing that His word will never fail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently tempted to doubt God's word, and how can you intentionally choose to praise it instead?**
* **How does David's example of praising God's word in extreme fear challenge your understanding of worship and trust?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more deeply internalize and declare God's word, making it an anchor for your soul?**

### FAQ

**Why is "his" in brackets in the KJV text of Psalms 56:10?**

Answer: The brackets around "his" in the King James Version (KJV) indicate that the word is not explicitly present in the original Hebrew text but has been supplied by the translators to make the English translation flow more naturally and to clarify the intended meaning. In Hebrew, the word "word" (*dabar*) often implicitly refers to God's word when used in such a context, or it can be understood as "the word concerning Him." The KJV translators added "his" to specify that it is God's word being praised, which is consistent with the theological meaning of the verse.

**What is the significance of using both "God" and "LORD" in this verse?**

Answer: The use of both "God" (*'Elohim'*) and "LORD" (*Yahweh*) is highly significant and not merely a stylistic choice. "God" (*'Elohim'*) refers to the general, majestic, and sovereign Creator of the universe, emphasizing His power and transcendence. "LORD" (*Yahweh*) is God's personal, covenant name, revealing His faithfulness, immanence, and relational commitment to His people. By praising "His word" in both "God" and "the LORD," David expresses a comprehensive and absolute trust in every aspect of God's character: His universal power and His specific, covenantal faithfulness. It underscores that God's word is reliable because of who He is in His entirety, both as the mighty sovereign and the faithful covenant-keeper.

**How can I praise God's word when I am feeling afraid or overwhelmed, as David was?**

Answer: Praising God's word in times of fear is an act of faith, not merely a feeling. David's example teaches us to deliberately choose to fix our gaze on God's unchanging truth, even when our emotions are chaotic. Practically, this means intentionally recalling and meditating on God's promises (e.g., [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything")), verbally declaring His faithfulness, and reminding yourself of His past acts of deliverance. It's about letting God's truth speak louder than your fears. Engaging with scripture, memorizing key verses, and speaking them aloud can transform your perspective, anchoring your soul in the certainty of God's word, which is more real than any present danger.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 56:10, with its profound declaration of praise for God's "word," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "word" (*dabar*) of God, which David praised as reliable and powerful, is not merely a collection of utterances or written texts, but is personified in the New Testament as Jesus Himself. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This "Word" became flesh and dwelt among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), embodying all of God's promises, truth, and faithfulness. When David praised God's word, he was, by divine inspiration, praising the very essence of God's self-revelation, which culminates in Christ. Jesus is the living embodiment of God's truth, the ultimate promise fulfilled, and the faithful covenant-keeper. Our praise for God's word today is therefore inextricably linked to our praise for Jesus Christ, who is "the Word of God" ([Revelation 19:13](/revelation/19-13 "Revelation 19:13 - Jesus, the Word of God")). In Him, all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), making our trust and praise in God's word a trust and praise in Christ Himself, our ultimate deliverer and the very expression of God's unwavering faithfulness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2 Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Psalms 56:4

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Genesis 32:11

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.

Hebrews 6:18

That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Psalms 60:6

¶ God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.