TRV
Translation
King James Version
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Complete Jewish Bible
For you rescued me from death, you kept my feet from stumbling, so that I can walk in God's presence, in the light of life.
Berean Standard Bible
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
American Standard Version
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?
World English Bible Messianic
For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For thou hast deliuered my soule from death, and also my feete from falling, that I may walke before God in the light of the liuing.
Young's Literal Translation
For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, Dost Thou not my feet from falling? To walk habitually before God in the light of the living!
In the KJVVerse 14,769 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 56 verses 8–13
8 ¶ Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Several things David here comforts himself with in the day of his distress and fear.
I. That God took particular notice of all his grievances and all his griefs, Psa 56:8. 1. Of all the inconveniences of his state: Thou tellest my wanderings, my flittings, so the old translation. David was now but a young (under thirty) and yet he had had many removes, from his father's house to the court, thence to the camp, and now driven out to sojourn where he could find a place, but not allowed to rest any where; he was hunted like a partridge upon the mountains; continual terrors and toils attended him; but this comforted him, that God kept a particular account of all his motions, and numbered all the weary steps he took, by night or by day. Note, God takes cognizance of all the afflictions of his people; and he does not cast out from his care and love those whom men have cast out from their acquaintance and converse. 2. Of all the impressions thus made upon his spirit. When he was wandering he was often weeping, and therefore prays, "Put thou my tears into thy bottle, to be preserved and looked upon; nay, I know they are in thy book, the book of thy remembrance." God has a bottle and a book for his people's tears, both those for their sins and those for their afflictions. This intimates, (1.) That he observes them with compassion and tender concern; he is afflicted in their afflictions, and knows their souls in adversity. As the blood of his saints, and their deaths, are precious in the sight of the Lord, so are their tears, not one of them shall fall to the ground. I have seen thy tears, Kg2 20:5. I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself, Jer 31:18. (2.) That he will remember them and review them, as we do the accounts we have booked. Paul was mindful of Timothy's tears (Ti2 1:4), and God will not forget the sorrows of his people. The tears of God's persecuted people are bottled up and sealed among God's treasures; and, when these books come to be opened, they will be found vials of wrath, which will be poured out upon their persecutors, whom God will surely reckon with for all the tears they have forced from his people's eyes; and they will be breasts of consolation to God's mourners, whose sackcloth will be turned into garments of praise. God will comfort his people according to the time wherein he has afflicted them, and give to those to reap in joy who sowed in tears. What was sown a tear will come up a pearl.
II. That his prayers would be powerful for the defeat and discomfiture of his enemies, as well as for his own support and encouragement (Psa 56:9): "When I cry unto thee, then shall my enemies turn back; I need no other weapons than prayers and tears; this I know, for God is for me, to plead my cause, to protect and deliver me; and, if God be for me, who can be against me so as to prevail?" The saints have God for them; they may know it; and to him they must cry when they are surrounded with enemies; and, if they do this in faith, they shall find a divine power exerted and engaged for them; their enemies shall be made to turn back, their spiritual enemies, against whom we fight best upon our knees, Eph 6:18.
III. That his faith in God would set him above the fear of man, Psa 56:10, Psa 56:11. Here he repeats, with a strong pathos, what he had said (Psa 56:4), "In God will I praise his word; that is, I will firmly depend upon the promise for the sake of him that made it, who is true and faithful, and has wisdom, power, and goodness enough to make it good." When we give credit to a man's bill we honour him that drew it; so when we do, and suffer, for God, in a dependence upon his promise, not staggering at it, we give glory to God, we praise his word, and so give praise to him. Having thus put his trust in God, he looks with a holy contempt upon the threatening power of man: "In God have I put my trust, and in him only, and therefore I will not be afraid what man can do unto me (Psa 56:11), though I know very well what he would do if he could," Psa 56:1, Psa 56:2. This triumphant word, so expressive of a holy magnanimity, the apostle puts into the mouth of every true believer, whom he makes a Christian hero, Heb 13:6. We may each of us boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for he has no power but what he has given him from above.
IV. That he was in bonds to God (Psa 56:12): "Thy vows are upon me, O God! - not upon me as a burden which I am loaded with, but as a badge which I glory in, as that by which I am known to be thy menial servant - not upon me as fetters that hamper me (such are superstitious vows), but upon me as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful to me, and directs me in the way of my duty. Thy vows are upon me, the vows I have made to thee, to which thou art not only a witness, but a party, and which thou hast commanded and encouraged me to make." It is probably that he means especially those vows which he had made to God in the day of his trouble and distress, which he would retain the remembrance of, and acknowledge the obligations of, when his fright was over. Note, It ought to be the matter of our consideration and joy that the vows of God are upon us - our baptismal vows renewed at the Lord's table, our occasional vows under convictions, under corrections, by these we are bound to live to God.
V. That he should still have more and more occasion to praise him: I will render praises unto thee. This is part of the performance of his vows; for vows of thankfulness properly accompany prayers for mercy, and when the mercy is received must be made good. When we study what we shall render this is the least we can resolve upon, to render praises to God - poor returns for rich receivings! Two things he will praise God for: - 1. For what he had done for him (Psa 56:13): "Thou has delivered my soul, my life, from death, which was just ready to seize me." If God have delivered us from sin, either from the commission of it by preventing grace or from the punishment of it by pardoning mercy, we have reason to own that he has thereby delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. If we, who were by nature dead in sin, are quickened together with Christ, and are made spiritually alive, we have reason to own that God has delivered our souls from death. 2. For what he would do for him: "Thou hast delivered my soul from death, and so hast given me a new life, and thereby hast given me an earnest of further mercy, that thou wilt deliver my feet from falling; thou hast done the greater, and therefore thou wilt do the less; thou hast begun a good work, and therefore thou wilt carry it on and perfect it." This may be taken either as the matter of his prayer, pleading his experience, or as the matter of his praise, raising his expectations; and those that know how to praise in faith will give God thanks for mercies in promise and prospect, as well as in possession. See here, (1.) What David hopes for, that God would deliver his feet from falling either into sin, which would wound his conscience, or into the appearance of sin, from which his enemies would take occasion to wound his good name. Those that think the stand must take heed lest they fall, because the best stand no longer than God is pleased to uphold them. We are weak, our way is slippery, many stumbling-blocks are in it, our spiritual enemies are industrious to thrust us down, and therefore we are concerned by faith and prayer to commit ourselves to his care who keeps the feet of his saints. (2.) What he builds this hope upon: "Thou hast delivered my soul from death, and therein hast magnified thy power and goodness, and put me into a capacity of receiving further mercy from thee; and now wilt thou not secure and crown thy own work?" God never brought his people out of Egypt to slay them in the wilderness. He that in conversion delivers the soul from so great a death as sin is will not fail to preserve it to his heavenly kingdom. (3.) What he designs in these hopes: That I may walk before God in the light of the living, that is, [1.] "That I may get to heaven, the only land of light and life; for in this world darkness and death reign." [2.] "That I may do my duty while this life lasts." Note, This we should aim at, in all our desires and expectations of deliverance both from sin and trouble, that we may do God so much the better service - that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we may serve him without fear.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–13. Public domain.
Copy as
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 56
"Because You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from slipping: that I may be pleasing before God in the light of the living" [Psalm 56:13]. With reason he is not pleasing to alien sons, that are put afar off from holy men, because they have not the light of the living, whence they may see that which to God is pleasing. "Light of the living," is light of the immortal, light of holy men. He that is not in darkness, is pleasing in the light of the living. A man is observed, and the things which belong to him; no one knows of what sort he is: God sees of what sort he is. Sometimes even the devil himself he escapes; except he tempt, he finds not: just as concerning that man of whom just now I have made mention:..."Does Job by any means worship God for nought?" [Job 1:9] For this was true light, this the light of the living, that gratis he should worship God. God saw in the heart of His servant His gratuitous worship. For that heart was pleasing in the sight of the Lord in the light of the living: the devil's sight he escaped, because in darkness he was. God admitted the tempter, not in order that He might Himself know that which He did know, but in order that to us to be known and imitated He might set it forth. Admitted was the tempter; he took away everything, there remained the man bereft of possessions, bereft of family, bereft of children, full of God. A wife certainly was left. [Job 2:9] Merciful do ye deem the devil, that he left him a wife? He knew through whom he had deceived Adam....With wound smitten from head even unto feet, whole nevertheless within, he made answer to the woman tempting, out of the light of the living, out of the light of his heart: "you have spoken as though one of the unwise women," [Job 2:10] that is, as though one that has not the light of the living. For the light of the living is wisdom, and the darkness of unwise men is folly. You have spoken as though one of the unwise women: my flesh you see, the light of my heart you see not. For she then might more have loved her husband, if the interior beauty she had known, and had beheld the place where he was beautiful before the eyes of God: because in Him were vows which he might render of praise to God. How entirely the enemy had forborne to invade that patrimony! How whole was that which he was possessing, and that because of which yet more to be possessed he hoped for, being to go on "from virtues unto virtue." Therefore, brethren, to this end let all these things serve us, that God gratis we love, in Him hope always, neither man nor devil fear. Neither the one nor the other does anything, except when it is permitted: permitted for no other reason can it be, except because it does profit us. Let us endure evil men, let us be good men: because even we have been evil. Even as nothing God shall save men, of whom we dare to despair. Therefore of no one let us despair, for all men whom we suffer let us pray, from God let us never depart. Our patrimony let Him be, our hope let Him be, our safety let Him be. He is Himself here a comforter, there a remunerator, everywhere Maker-alive, and of life the Giver, not of another life, but of that whereof has been said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life:" [John 14:6] in order that both here in the light of faith, and there in the light of sight, as it were in the light of the living, in the sight of the Lord we may be pleasing.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 56
"In me, O God, are Your vows, which I will render of praise to You" [Psalm 56:12]. "Vow ye, and render to the Lord your God." What vow, what render? Perchance those animals which were offered at the altars aforetime? No such thing offer thou: in yourself is what you may vow and render. From the heart's coffer bring forth the incense of praise; from the store of a good conscience bring forth the sacrifice of faith. Whatsoever thing you bring forth, kindle with love. In yourself be the vows, which you may render of praise to God. Of what praise? For what has He granted you? "For You have rescued my soul from death" [Psalm 56:13]. This is that very life which he tells out to Him: "O God, my life I have told out to You." For I was what? Dead. Through myself I was dead: through You I am what? Alive. Therefore "in me, O God, are Your vows, which I will render of praise to You." Behold I love my God: no one does tear Him from me: that which to Him I may give, no one does tear from me, because in the heart it is shut up. With reason is said with that former confidence, "What should man do unto me?" Let man rage, let him be permitted to rage, be permitted to accomplish that which he attempts: what is he to take away? Gold, silver, cattle, men servants, maid servants, estates, houses, let him take away all things: does he by any means take away the vows, which are in me, which I may render of praise to God? The tempter was permitted to tempt a holy man, Job; [Job 1:12] in one moment he took away all things: whatever of possessions he had had, he carried off: took away inheritance, slew heirs; and this not little by little, but in a crowd, at one blow, at one swoop, so that all things were on a sudden announced: when all was taken away, alone there remained Job, but in him were vows of praise, which he might render to God, in him evidently there were: the coffer of his holy breast the thieving devil had not rifled, full he was of that wherefrom he might sacrifice. Hear what he had, hear what he brought forth: "The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away; as has pleased the Lord, so has been done: be the name of the Lord blessed." [Job 1:21] O riches interior, whither thief does not draw near! God Himself had given that whereof He was receiving; He had Himself enriched him with that whereof to Him he was offering that which He loved. Praise from you God requires, your confession God requires. But from your field will you give anything? He has Himself rained in order that you may have. From your coffer will you give anything? He has Himself put in that which you are to give. What will you give, which from Him you have not received? "For what have you which you have not received?" [1 Corinthians 4:7] From the heart will you give? He too has given faith, hope, and charity: this you must bring forth: this you must sacrifice. But evidently all the other things the enemy is able to take away against your will; this to take away he is not able, unless thou be willing. These things a man will lose even against his will: and wishing to have gold, will lose gold; and wishing to have house, will lose house: faith no one will lose, except him that shall have despised her.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 56:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalm 56:13 stands as a profound testament to David's unwavering faith, deeply rooted in gratitude for God's past deliverance and a confident expectation of His ongoing preservation. Amidst mortal danger and relentless adversaries, David articulates his conviction that the God who rescued his very life from death will assuredly guard his steps from stumbling, thereby enabling him to live a purposeful, righteous existence in the very presence and life-giving truth of God. This verse encapsulates a spiritual journey from fear to resolute trust, culminating in a steadfast commitment to walk in divine light and vitality.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 56:13 masterfully employs several Literary Devices to convey its powerful and deeply personal message. The central device is the Rhetorical Question ("wilt not thou deliver...?"), which, rather than seeking information, serves to powerfully emphasize a strong affirmation of faith and confident expectation. David is not asking if God can deliver, but rather asserting with absolute conviction that God will deliver, given His demonstrated past faithfulness. Metaphor is also profoundly prominent: "my feet from falling" is a vivid and relatable image for protection against stumbling, moral lapse, or physical defeat, while "the light of the living" is a richly layered metaphor for God's life-giving presence, truth, and favor, contrasting sharply with the darkness of death or spiritual decay. The verse also exhibits a clear form of Parallelism, where the past deliverance of "soul from death" is powerfully paralleled by the expected future deliverance of "feet from falling," thereby reinforcing God's consistent character, unwavering power, and enduring faithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 56:13 beautifully articulates the profound theological principle of God's enduring faithfulness, demonstrating with clarity how His past acts of deliverance serve as an unshakeable foundation for present trust and future hope. It underscores that God's salvation is not merely an escape from peril but a purposeful rescue meticulously designed to enable His people to live in intimate, covenantal fellowship with Him. This "walking before God in the light of the living" is the very essence of a dynamic covenant relationship, where life is lived in accordance with divine truth and perpetually under the benevolent, guiding gaze of the Almighty. It highlights the active, ongoing nature of God's preservation, not just from ultimate death but from the daily stumbles, moral pitfalls, and spiritual temptations that constantly threaten to derail one's journey of faith.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 56:13 offers profound and timeless encouragement for believers navigating the anxieties, uncertainties, and dangers of life. It calls us to deeply reflect on God's past faithfulness in our own lives, or in the grand, unfolding narrative of salvation history, as a powerful and effective antidote to present fear and doubt. Just as David remembered God's past deliverance from the brink of death, we too can recall specific moments when God miraculously intervened, graciously provided, or sovereignly protected us, allowing these cherished memories to fortify our trust in His ongoing, steadfast care. This verse powerfully reminds us that God's deliverance is never without a divine purpose; He saves us not merely for survival, but to enable us to live a life that profoundly honors Him, walking steadfastly in His truth and abiding in His presence. Our daily walk, our moral choices, and our very existence are meant to be a living testament to His saving power, lived out vibrantly "in the light of the living," thereby demonstrating His vitality and truth to a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness and despair.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for God to "deliver my feet from falling"?
Answer: This phrase is a powerful and multifaceted metaphor that extends far beyond mere physical preservation. While it certainly encompasses protection from literal stumbling or physical harm, its primary and deeper meaning encompasses spiritual, moral, and emotional stability. To "deliver my feet from falling" means that God will keep us from succumbing to temptation, from spiritual backsliding, from moral compromise, or from being utterly defeated by our adversaries and the challenges of life. It speaks profoundly to God's ongoing work of sanctification and preservation, meticulously ensuring that His children remain steadfast, firm, and unwavering in their walk with Him, even amidst severe trials and persistent temptations. It is a heartfelt prayer for perseverance, integrity, and unwavering faithfulness in the face of life's complex challenges, trusting implicitly that God will uphold us so we do not falter in our faith or deviate from our divine purpose.
What is "the light of the living" in this verse?
Answer: "The light of the living" (Hebrew: 'or ha-chayyim) is a rich, evocative biblical phrase that refers to God's life-giving presence, His revealed truth, and His divine favor. "Light" in Scripture frequently symbolizes divine revelation, guidance, purity, blessing, and spiritual understanding, standing in stark contrast to the darkness of sin, ignorance, or death (e.g., Psalm 119:105). "The living" emphasizes vitality, flourishing, and a genuine, purposeful existence, in direct opposition to the inertness of death or the spiritual deadness characteristic of those alienated from God. Therefore, to "walk in the light of the living" means to live a vibrant, righteous, and purposeful life in conscious, intimate fellowship with God, continually guided by His truth, abundantly enjoying His blessings, and experiencing the fullness of life that only He can provide. It is a life lived perpetually within the sphere of divine vitality, revelation, and active presence, distinctly set apart from the spiritual darkness of the world.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 56:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's fervent plea for deliverance from death and falling, and his deep desire to walk in the "light of the living," perfectly foreshadow the complete and glorious salvation offered exclusively through the Messiah. Jesus, as the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, delivered humanity from the ultimate "death"—spiritual separation from God due to the pervasive power of sin (Romans 6:23). His glorious resurrection is the supreme and triumphant manifestation of "the light of the living," decisively conquering death and bringing life and immortality to radiant light through the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Through Christ, believers are not only delivered from the tyrannical power of death but are also actively kept from spiritual "falling" by His sustaining grace and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:24). Our ability to "walk before God in the light of the living" is entirely dependent on our vital union with Christ, who unequivocally declared Himself to be the Light of the World. He empowers us to live a life of divine purpose, righteousness, and vibrant spiritual vitality, having graciously transferred us from the domain of spiritual darkness into His marvelous light (Colossians 1:13). Thus, David's ancient prayer becomes a glorious, living reality for all who are in Christ.