In a day when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56:4[3], TLV
Write Your Own Michtam? That oh so important context truly deepens the meaning of today’s verse. David shares how he felt when captured by the Philistines — his old enemies. Even in his fear, David goes back to what he knows. Worship. I just realized something. We can cower in our fear and be paralyzed, or take those fears to our Heavenly Father. Maybe it’s time to shed our masks and be real.
Today’s psalm is categorized by David as a Michtam. In Hebrew, a michtam is a special type of psalm. The word is only used 6 times by David and generally recounts his most scary of experiences, where his life was in immediate peril and where only a miraculous intervention by God could save him.
No matter what our circumstances, our Father isn’t intimidated by our emotions — He gave them to us. He just wants us to bring them to Him and not try to hide them. Joy. Fear. Anger. Doubt. Pain.
You have recorded my wanderings.
You put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book? (vs. 9[8])
Abba knows we are dust (Psalm 103:14), He knows everything that causes us pain. I think sometimes, we try to hide our pain because we think God will be disappointed in us. Or people will think our faith is weak. We aren’t strong enough. Didn’t have enough faith? Blah. Blah. Blah.
David lays it all out there. Expresses the pain and doubt and anger. Then, what does he do? He goes back to what he knows. His vows (vs. 13[12]), his experiences of God’s deliverance in the past (vs. 14[13]), so that he can say — in his pain and fear — these words:
In God—I keep praising His word—
in God I trust, I will not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me? (56:5[4])
He repeats this statement of faith later (56:10-12[9-11]), with more enthusiasm.
I wonder. What would that look like for us? Because, most of us aren’t being chased by “Philistines” or captured by giants, but maybe it feels like we are. Can we take that fear and uncertainty and turn it into worship? Write our own michtam?
“I am afraid and feel abandoned by those around me, Abba! They taunt me and it makes me angry and I feel betrayed. There’s nothing I can do! But there is! God, I praise You! I trust You! So, I don’t have to fear. Flesh can torment me, but my spirit is Yours for eternity.” a Michtam of Terri, when she was afraid of the pain in her body and the disappointment of others.
Let’s not be captured by the scary time, but take it to our Heavenly Father and turn it to worship. Or, let’s try. And keep trying. Because the more we try, the easier it will be to pause and “write” our michtam.
Can you try a psalm or michtam of your own today? I would be honored if you shared it.
