Crying on the Scroll

Psalm 56:8 (NIV) “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?”

One of the Psalms that I often turn to when I am under duress is Psalm 56. David asks God to record his tears in the heavenly scroll.

Another statement in Psalm 56 that particularly touches me is found in verses 4 and 10. David says that he praises God’s Word.

When the pursuers attack and when the slanderers speak, there are a variety of reactions which we can choose. You can go and cry on someone’s shoulder, you can cry in your pillow (a good choice if you don’t want anyone to hear), you can cry while listening to sad songs, you could cry at a bar or tavern, you might call someone and cry for hours on the phone… even long distance and then you’ll cry again when you get the bill, you might cry while holding your cat or your dog, you might even cry while eating a pint of your favorite ice cream. Your tears might be hot and angry, they might be big and helpless and they might even put a salty taste in your mouth if they travel in that direction.

David’s attackers were people who he knew. He said that they attacked him in their pride. Feelings, positions and relationships were involved. He called them “my slanderers” (vs 2). That would imply that they pretty much had a full time job slandering him. My generals, my servants, my family… my slanderers. Wow!

There is one place to cry that I would recommend based on this Psalm of David. Cry in your Bible. In your torment, Praise God’s Word. Some of the best pages in my Bible… the most meaningful ones to me that have my life-line verses in them are crispy and stained from tears. The Bible that I use most is 12 years old… 1000’s of tears on 100’s of pages. The Word of God viewed through tearing eyes is beautiful and meaningful!

One of the differences between those who overcome and learn through trials and those who do not, is where they cry. Trust God and go to His Word in good times and in bad. Gain strength from His promises and gain advice directly from Him.

Verse 4 asks, “What can mortal man do to me?” And verse 9 says that “God is for me.” Awesome!

Commit that the very next time you cry… you will not cry on somebody’s shoulder but cry into your Bible. Get his Word deeply in you while you are broken and it will change you!

With this in mind, take a few minutes to read the 13 verses of Psalm 56 now. Be blessed!


Psalm 56 (NIV)
For the director of music. To the tune of "A Dove on Distant Oaks." Of David. A miktam . When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.
2 My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.
6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.
7 On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.
8 Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-
11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.