John Gill Commentary Psalms 56:13

"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?" — Psalms 56:13 (ASV)

For you have delivered my soul from death
From imminent danger of death, when in the hands of the Philistines; not that the soul can die; that is immortal; but he means his person, on which account he determines to render praise to God: moreover, this may include the deliverance of his soul from a moral or spiritual death, in which he was by nature, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity. From this he was delivered by regenerating grace, when he was quickened, who before was dead in trespasses and sins; and so delivered, that this death should no more come upon him; the grace of God in him being a well of living water, springing up to eternal life: and it may also be understood of deliverance from eternal death, by Christ, who has redeemed his people from the curse of the law, and delivered them from wrath to come, so that they shall never be hurt by the second death; it shall have no power over them, but they shall have eternal life; all which is matter of praise and thanksgiving;

[will] not [you deliver] my feet from falling ?
that is, "you will deliver" them; for this way of speaking strongly affirms; or "have you not delivered [them]?" ^F5 You have; and will still deliver, or keep from falling. The people of God are subject to falling; God is the only keeper of them; and they have reason to believe that he will keep them from a final and total falling away; because of the great love which he has for them, the gracious promises of preservation he has made to them, and his power, which is engaged in keeping them.

They are also put into the hands of Christ, who is able to keep them, who has an interest in them, and an affection for them. Furthermore, the glory of all three divine Persons is concerned in the saints' preservation; and this is another reason for rendering praises to the Lord; the end of which follows;

that I may walk before God in the light of the living ;
to "walk before God" is to walk as in his sight, who sees and knows all hearts, thoughts, words, and actions; with great circumspection, caution, and watchfulness. It is to walk according to the word and will of God, in all his ways, commands, and ordinances; and so the Arabic version says, "that I may do the will of the Lord"; and so as to please him, as Enoch did, who walked with him, and whose walking with him is interpreted by pleasing him (Hebrews 11:5Hebrews 11:6). Agreeably to this, the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, render the words, "that I may please before the Lord"; or do what is acceptable in his sight. Moreover, to walk before the Lord is to walk in the light of his countenance, to have his presence, enjoy his favour, and be blessed with communion with him.

"In the light of the living?" that is, to walk as an enlightened and quickened person, as the children of the light; and to walk in the light of the Gospel, and as becomes that; and to walk in Christ the light, and by faith on him. Such shall have "the light of life" (John 8:12), a phrase the same as this here; and it designs the light of the heavenly glory, and of the New Jerusalem church state, in which the nations of them that are saved shall walk (Revelation 21:23Revelation 21:24) ^F6. Some Jewish writers interpret this of paradise.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F5: "An non eripuisti?" Piscator, Gejerus; "nonne liberasti?" Michaelis.
• F6: Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 108. 3. Targum in Psal. lvii. 2.