What is the context?
Constant pursuit and twisted words make the danger real. The speaker names fear and then describes the response of placing trust in God and His word.
The repeated question about what a mortal can do places hostile power under a greater confidence. It does not deny the enemies’ capacity to wound or threaten life.
Trust is presented as a response within fear, not proof that a faithful person never feels it. The prayer still asks that wrongdoing be brought to judgment.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley understands the praised word as God’s promises of protection and the adversary as mortal. The contrast concerns the limits of human power before God rather than a rule that bodily danger is imaginary.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Hebrews 13:5–8 likewise joins God’s faithful presence with confidence about what people can do, in a passage naming Jesus Christ’s enduring constancy. This is a supported parallel. Hebrews’ direct quotation comes from Psalm 118’s helper language, so it should not be misidentified as a formal quotation of Psalm 56.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.
Where can I study this further?
No deeper study linked yet.