Psalms 59:4

KJV

They run and prepare themselves without [my] fault: awake to help me, and behold.

KJV (with Strong's)

They run {H7323}{H8799)} and prepare {H3559}{H8709)} themselves without my fault {H5771}: awake {H5782}{H8798)} to help {H7125}{H8800)} me, and behold {H7200}{H8798)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For no fault of mine, they run and prepare. Awaken to help me, and see!

Berean Standard Bible

For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.

American Standard Version

They run and prepare themselves without my fault: Awake thou to help me, and behold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 59:4 is a fervent plea from David, likely penned during a period of intense persecution by King Saul's agents. The verse vividly portrays the eagerness and hostile intent of his enemies, who pursue him relentlessly despite his innocence. David's desperate cry for God to "awake" and intervene underscores his profound sense of injustice and his unwavering conviction that divine intervention is his only hope for deliverance and vindication. It is a powerful expression of trust in God's active justice in the face of unprovoked hostility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 59 is a "Miktam," a "golden psalm," often associated with times of great peril and deep spiritual reflection. The preceding verses (Psalms 59:1-3) establish the immediate threat, with David crying out for deliverance from his "enemies," "evildoers," and "bloodthirsty men." Verse 4 specifically details the nature of their pursuit: swift, unprovoked, and hostile. The verses that follow (Psalms 59:5-7) continue David's appeal to God, asking Him to judge these nations and expressing David's confidence that God will respond to his cry. The entire psalm is a lament and an imprecation, moving from desperate petition to confident expectation of God's righteous judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes this psalm to the specific historical event recounted in [1 Samuel 19:11](/1_samuel/19-11 "1 Samuel 19:11 - Saul Sends Men to Kill David"), when King Saul sent men to surround David's house and kill him. This period marked a profound shift in David's life, from a celebrated hero to a hunted fugitive. Saul's irrational jealousy and paranoia led him to repeatedly attempt David's life, despite David's unwavering loyalty and anointing as the future king. In ancient Israel, the king was considered God's anointed, and attacking him was seen as an affront to God. However, David, though anointed, was not yet king, and his enemies' actions were a direct challenge to God's plan. David's emphasis on his "faultlessness" was crucial in a culture where misfortune was often attributed to sin, asserting his innocence before God and man.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. The theme of **unjust persecution** is central, as David repeatedly asserts his blamelessness in the face of relentless hostility (e.g., [Psalms 7:3-5](/psalms/7-3 "Psalm 7:3-5 - David's Plea of Innocence")). This highlights the reality of suffering for righteousness' sake. Another key theme is the **urgent appeal for divine intervention**, as seen in David's anthropomorphic plea for God to "awake." This reflects a deep-seated belief in God's sovereignty and His active involvement in human affairs, particularly in defending the innocent and executing justice. Finally, the verse underscores David's **reliance on God's justice and vindication**, trusting that God will not remain silent but will rise to defend His servant against those who defy Him. This theme is foundational to David's faith, providing hope even in the direst circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"run" (Hebrew, _ruts'_):** This verb, used here in the Qal imperfect, describes the eager, swift, and determined movement of David's enemies. It conveys a sense of urgency and malicious intent, suggesting they are not merely approaching but are actively and quickly pursuing their objective of harming David. It paints a picture of relentless aggression.
* **"prepare themselves" (Hebrew, _'ur'_):** This verb, in the Hithpael imperfect, means "to rouse oneself," "to stir oneself up," or "to make oneself ready." In this context, it emphasizes the intentional and deliberate nature of the enemies' hostile actions. They are not acting impulsively but are actively organizing and mobilizing themselves for an attack, highlighting their premeditated malice against David.
* **"fault" (Hebrew, _pesha'_):** This noun specifically refers to "transgression," "rebellion," or "revolt." It denotes a deliberate breach of trust or a rebellious act against a higher authority. By stating "without my fault" (בְּלִי־פֶשַׁע, _b'li-pesha'_), David emphatically declares his innocence concerning any specific wrongdoing or rebellion that would justify his enemies' pursuit. He asserts that he has given them no legitimate cause for their hostility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They run and prepare themselves":** This initial clause vividly depicts the enemies' zealous and concerted effort to attack David. The verbs "run" and "prepare themselves" convey a sense of active, deliberate, and urgent hostility, indicating that they are not merely passively threatening but are actively mobilizing for an assault.
* **"without [my] fault:":** This crucial phrase is David's central defense and plea. It asserts his blamelessness regarding the specific accusations or actions that have incited his enemies' pursuit. He is not being hunted for a legitimate transgression or rebellion but is suffering unjust persecution, which strengthens his appeal for divine intervention.
* **"awake to help me,":** This is a powerful, anthropomorphic imperative. David is not suggesting God is literally asleep, but he is passionately imploring God to rouse Himself from apparent inactivity and visibly intervene on his behalf. It expresses the psalmist's desperate need for God to demonstrate His power and presence in a tangible way.
* **"and behold.":** This final, concise imperative is a plea for God to witness the injustice and the enemies' actions. It is a call for God to observe the situation directly, to acknowledge the truth of David's innocence and his enemies' malice, and by beholding, to be moved to righteous action and deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 59:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey David's distress and plea. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the imperative "awake to help me," where God is described as if He could be roused from slumber or inaction. This vivid imagery underscores the psalmist's desperate urgency and his desire for God to visibly manifest His power. **Antithesis** is present in the stark contrast between David's asserted innocence ("without my fault") and the aggressive, unprovoked hostility of his enemies ("They run and prepare themselves"). This highlights the profound injustice of his situation. Furthermore, the verbs "run and prepare themselves" could be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and overwhelming nature of the enemies' zealous pursuit, making their threat feel larger than life and intensifying David's need for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 59:4 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of divine justice and the experience of the righteous sufferer. It underscores the truth that God is not indifferent to the plight of the innocent who are unjustly persecuted. David's cry for God to "awake" is a testament to his faith that God is an active, sovereign defender who sees all and will ultimately intervene. This verse reminds us that while human justice may fail, God's justice is perfect and inevitable. It reinforces the theme that suffering, even when unmerited, can lead to a deeper reliance on God's power and a clearer understanding of His character as the ultimate vindicator.

* [Psalms 35:19](/psalms/35-19 "Psalm 35:19 - Unjust Enemies and God's Deliverance")
* [1 Peter 2:19-23](/1_peter/2-19 "1 Peter 2:19-23 - Suffering for Righteousness' Sake")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, Psalms 59:4 offers a profound model for believers facing unmerited opposition. David's response is not one of despair or retaliation, but an immediate, fervent turning to God, asserting his innocence and pleading for divine intervention. This teaches us the vital importance of bringing our burdens of injustice directly to the Lord, trusting in His perfect sight and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. Even when God's response seems delayed or His presence feels distant, David's "awake to help me" is a reminder that our prayers are heard and that God is actively engaged, though His timing and methods may differ from our expectations. Maintaining integrity "without fault" in the face of accusation becomes a source of strength, knowing that our ultimate vindication rests with the One who truly sees and judges righteously.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate turning to God in the face of injustice challenge your own first reactions to unfair treatment?**
* **What does it mean to "awake to help me" in your prayer life when you feel God's intervention is urgently needed?**
* **In what ways can maintaining your integrity, even when falsely accused, strengthen your faith and reliance on God?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to "awake"? Is God literally sleeping or inactive?**

Answer: The phrase "awake to help me" is an example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics or actions to God. It does not mean that God is literally sleeping or unaware of the situation. Instead, it is a passionate and urgent plea from David for God to visibly and powerfully intervene in his desperate circumstances. It expresses the psalmist's intense desire for God to rouse Himself from what appears to be a state of inaction or silence and to demonstrate His active presence and power on David's behalf. Similar cries are found elsewhere in the Psalms, such as [Psalms 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - God Arise!"). It's a rhetorical device to convey the depth of human need and the urgency of the prayer.

**Why is David's emphasis on "without my fault" so important in this verse?**

Answer: David's assertion "without [my] fault" (בְּלִי־פֶשַׁע, _b'li-pesha'_) is crucial because it establishes his innocence regarding the specific reasons for his enemies' pursuit. In ancient Israelite culture, misfortune or suffering was often associated with sin or transgression. By declaring his blamelessness, David is not claiming sinless perfection, but rather that he has given his enemies no legitimate cause or "rebellion" that would justify their current attempts on his life. This plea strengthens his case before God, appealing to God's righteous character as the defender of the innocent and the one who judges justly. It highlights the unprovoked nature of the persecution, making God's intervention all the more necessary and righteous.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 59:4, with its poignant cry of unjust persecution, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, though innocent of the specific charges against him, was still a sinner. Yet, his experience as one hunted "without fault" foreshadows the perfect innocence of Jesus, the true and ultimate Son of David. Jesus was the only one who could truly claim to be "without fault" or "without transgression" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin")). He was the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), yet He was relentlessly pursued, falsely accused, and ultimately crucified by those who "ran and prepared themselves" against Him ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Christ's Silence Before His Accusers")). David's desperate plea for God to "awake to help me, and behold" echoes the cries of Christ on the cross, who entrusted Himself to the Father who judges justly. In Christ's resurrection and ascension, God indeed "awoke" and vindicated His perfectly righteous Son, demonstrating His ultimate power over all hostile forces and securing deliverance not just for one man, but for all who believe in Him.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Psalms 35:19

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: [neither] let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Acts 23:15

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Isaiah 59:7

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths.

Psalms 44:23

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.