Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
Slay {H2026}{H8799)} them not, lest my people {H5971} forget {H7911}{H8799)}: scatter {H5128}{H8685)} them by thy power {H2428}; and bring them down {H3381}{H8685)}, O Lord {H136} our shield {H4043}.
Don't kill them, or my people will forget; instead, by your power, make them wander to and fro; but bring them down, Adonai our Shield,
Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
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Psalms 3:3
But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. -
Revelation 9:6
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. -
Job 40:12
Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. -
Luke 1:51
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. -
Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree. -
Genesis 4:12
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. -
Genesis 4:15
And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Psalms 59:11 presents a fascinating and somewhat counter-intuitive prayer from David, asking God not to immediately destroy his enemies, but to scatter and bring them down instead. This verse reveals a nuanced understanding of divine justice and its pedagogical purpose for God's people.
Context
Psalm 59 is a "Michtam of David," specifically attributed to the time when King Saul sent men to watch David's house and kill him (1 Samuel 19:11). David is surrounded by violent, unprovoked adversaries who are "like dogs" (Psalm 59:6) and "breathe out swords" (Psalm 59:7) with their malicious words. In this desperate situation, David cries out to God for deliverance, expressing confidence in God's ultimate power to mock and judge the nations (Psalm 59:8).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
This verse offers powerful insights for believers today. When facing adversity, injustice, or spiritual opposition, we can learn from David's prayer: