Psalms59

Psalm 59 is a fervent prayer of David for deliverance from his murderous enemies, who unjustly seek his life. He appeals to God as his defence, asking Him to scatter and consume these wicked transgressors, not for his own sake, but so that all may know God's universal rule. Despite the threat, David expresses unwavering trust in God's power and mercy, vowing to sing His praises.

A Cry for Deliverance from Treacherous Enemies

1
Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me. ​
2
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
3
For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, LORD. ​
4
I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!
5
You, LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah. ​

The Violent Behavior of the Wicked

6
They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city. ​
7
Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?” ​
8
But you, LORD, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
9
Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.
10
My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph. ​

A Prayer for Judgment and God’s Glory

11
Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield. ​
12
For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.
13
Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah. ​

The Final Outcome: Shame for the Wicked, Praise for God

14
At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city. ​
15
They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied.
16
But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress. ​
17
To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

Study Notes for Psalms 59

Verse 1

The superscription links this psalm to 1 Sam 19:11, where David escaped Saul’s assassins; this context underscores the immediacy and treachery of the attack, as his life was sought unjustly.

Verse 3

David insists that the threat against his life is undeserved ('not for my transgression'), establishing this as a plea for divine intervention against unjust persecution and political malice.

Verse 5

By invoking 'LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,' David appeals both to God's covenant loyalty (Israel) and his universal power (hosts), demanding judgment on all wicked oppressors.

Verse 6

The description of the enemies returning 'at evening' and making a 'noise like a dog' portrays them as restless, scavenging predators, lacking human dignity or moral restraint.

Verse 7

The phrase 'swords are in their lips' vividly illustrates the destructive power of their slander and verbal violence, which they unleash arrogantly, assuming God does not observe their actions.

Verse 10

The Hebrew word translated 'prevent' (qadam) means 'to go before' or 'to meet,' expressing David's confidence that God's mercy will anticipate the attack and act decisively on his behalf.

Verse 11

David asks God not to kill them quickly but to 'scatter them,' ensuring their slow humiliation serves as a visible, lasting object lesson of divine justice for the people of Israel ('lest my people forget').

Verse 13

The ultimate goal of the judgment is the visible demonstration that the God of the covenant ('God ruleth in Jacob') is sovereign over the entire world ('unto the ends of the earth').

Verse 14

This verse repeats the imagery of verse 6, but now it functions as an imprecation, implying that their hateful, scavenging surveillance will now be coupled with their failure and distress.

Verse 16

The contrast between the enemies' nightly noise (v. 6, 14) and David's morning song highlights the shift from despair and danger to renewed hope and confident praise following God's deliverance.

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