Psalms 59:14

Bible Versions

And at evening let them return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

And at evening {H6153} let them return {H7725}{H8799)}; and let them make a noise {H1993}{H8799)} like a dog {H3611}, and go round about {H5437}{H8779)} the city {H5892}.

They return at nightfall, snarling like dogs as they go around the city.

They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

Commentary on Psalms 59:14 (KJV)

Psalms 59:14: "And at evening let them return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city."

Context

Psalm 59 is a fervent prayer of David for deliverance from his enemies, particularly when King Saul sent men to watch his house and kill him (as recounted in 1 Samuel 19:11). The psalm is a lament, expressing David's distress and his confident appeal to God for justice against those who unjustly seek his life. Throughout the psalm, David describes his adversaries as bloodthirsty, deceitful, and relentless. This specific verse, Psalms 59:14, comes within a section where David is praying for his enemies to be punished and exposed, emphasizing their persistent and predatory nature.

Key Themes

Relentless Harassment: The verse vividly portrays David's enemies as persistently seeking him, returning again and again, especially under the cover of evening. This highlights the constant threat and lack of peace David experienced.
Degrading Imagery: Likening the enemies to "dogs" is a strong metaphor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were often scavengers, considered unclean, and associated with wild, howling packs. This imagery conveys their base, predatory, and unprincipled nature, lacking dignity or honor in their pursuit of David.
Imprecatory Prayer: While a lament, this psalm also contains imprecatory elements – prayers for God to mete out judgment on the wicked. David is not taking personal revenge but appealing to God, the righteous Judge, to deal with his adversaries according to their deeds. This aligns with other imprecatory psalms, such as Psalm 35:8.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "make a noise like a dog" (Hebrew: יְהֵמוּ כַכָּלֶב, yehemu khakhalev) implies more than just barking. It suggests a howling, snarling, or growling sound – the restless, hungry cries of scavenging dogs. This reinforces the idea of David's enemies as desperate, hungry for his destruction, and prowling for opportunity. The action of "go round about the city" further emphasizes their persistent patrolling and encirclement, seeking a way to entrap David, much like a pack of wild dogs might circle prey.

Related Scriptures

The theme of David's enemies persistently pursuing him is common in the Psalms, reflecting his life of flight from Saul. For instance, in Psalm 7:1, David cries out for deliverance from his persecutors. The use of animal imagery to describe the wicked or their actions is also found elsewhere, such as in Psalm 22:16, where enemies are described as "dogs" and "bulls." The concept of God delivering His faithful from relentless foes is a foundational promise throughout Scripture, offering hope even when facing overwhelming opposition, as seen in 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 59:14 offers several insights:

Persistence of Opposition: We may face persistent opposition, whether from individuals, circumstances, or spiritual forces. This verse reminds us that evil often does not give up easily.
God as Our Refuge: Like David, when facing relentless adversaries, our ultimate refuge and source of justice is God. We are called to bring our distress and appeals for justice before Him, rather than seeking personal vengeance.
Discernment of Character: The imagery of dogs helps us discern the nature of some opposition – it can be base, driven by malice, and lacking honor. Recognizing this can help us understand the spiritual battle we are in and not be surprised by the tactics of those who oppose righteousness.
Prayer as Our Weapon: In the face of such harassment, fervent prayer is our most powerful tool, entrusting our cause to the Lord who sees all and judges righteously.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psalms 59:6

They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.