Psalms 56:13
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?
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִצַּ֪לְתָּ
For thou hast delivered
H5337
הִצַּ֪לְתָּ
For thou hast delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
2 of 12
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
נַפְשִׁ֡י
my soul
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֡י
my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִמָּוֶת֮
from death
H4194
מִמָּוֶת֮
from death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
4 of 12
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
הֲלֹ֥א
H3808
הֲלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רַגְלַ֗י
wilt not thou deliver my feet
H7272
רַגְלַ֗י
wilt not thou deliver my feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 12
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
לְ֭הִֽתְהַלֵּךְ
that I may walk
H1980
לְ֭הִֽתְהַלֵּךְ
that I may walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Job 33:30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.Psalms 17:5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.Psalms 49:15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.Isaiah 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.Isaiah 38:3And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.Psalms 94:18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.Psalms 145:14The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.James 5:20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Historical Context
David's deliverance from numerous death threats validated God's covenant promise to establish his throne. Walking 'in the light of the living' contrasts with Sheol's darkness, indicating life in God's favor as covenant blessing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding salvation's purpose as walking with God affect your daily priorities?
- In what ways does deliverance from spiritual death surpass deliverance from physical dangers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The question 'hast thou not delivered my soul from death?' is confident assertion, not doubt. Deliverance from death points beyond physical preservation to spiritual redemption. The purpose clause 'that I may walk before God in the light of the living' reveals that salvation's goal is covenant fellowship—walking in God's presence. This anticipates eternal life as knowing God (John 17:3).