59:5 59:5

Psalms 59:6

59:7 59:7

Bible Versions

They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
They return {H7725}{H8799)} at evening {H6153}: they 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.
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

Commentary on Psalms 59:6 (KJV)

Psalm 59 is a fervent prayer of David, penned when King Saul sent men to watch his house and kill him, as recorded in 1 Samuel 19:11. This psalm is a cry for deliverance from treacherous enemies. Verse 6 vividly describes the menacing and persistent nature of these adversaries.

Context and Imagery

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

  • "They return at evening": This phrase suggests a nocturnal, predatory activity. Just as wild animals or scavengers become more active under the cover of darkness, David's enemies are depicted as returning to their sinister work when night falls, implying stealth, persistence, and a lack of moral daylight in their actions. It highlights the constant, unceasing threat David faced.
  • "they make a noise like a dog": In ancient Israel, dogs were often seen as scavenging, unclean, and vicious animals, not the beloved pets of modern times. This comparison dehumanizes David's enemies, portraying them as howling, snarling, and aggressive, prowling in packs. It evokes a sense of their wild, uncontrolled malice and their insatiable hunger for destruction or violence. The Hebrew word for "dog" (kelev) here emphasizes their savage and contemptible nature. This imagery is also found in other psalms where enemies are likened to dogs, such as in Psalm 22:16.
  • "and go round about the city": This paints a picture of encirclement and siege. The enemies are not merely a distant threat but are actively patrolling, searching, and asserting their menacing presence around the very place of refuge. This creates a powerful sense of being trapped and vulnerable, with danger lurking on every side. For David, this was literal as Saul's men surrounded his house.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Persistent Hostility: The verse emphasizes the relentless and unyielding nature of David's enemies. They do not give up but return again and again to pursue their malicious intent.
  • Degradation of the Opponent: By comparing his foes to dogs, David expresses his contempt for their character and actions, highlighting their base, wild, and predatory behavior.
  • Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance: For believers today, this verse can symbolize the persistent nature of spiritual opposition or the insidious ways in which sin or adversaries can "prowl" around our lives, seeking opportunities to attack or undermine faith.
  • Need for Divine Deliverance: The vivid description of the threat underscores the desperate need for God's intervention, which is the overarching theme of Psalm 59, beginning with David's plea in Psalm 59:1.

Practical Application

Psalms 59:6 reminds us that we may face opposition that feels persistent, menacing, and even dehumanizing. Whether these are literal enemies, difficult circumstances, or spiritual battles, the psalmist's experience encourages us to acknowledge the nature of the threat without succumbing to despair. Instead, like David, we are called to turn to God, who sees our plight and is our ultimate refuge and strength against those who "go round about" us. It encourages vigilance and reliance on divine protection in the face of relentless challenges.

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 59:14

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

  • Psalms 22:16

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

  • 1 Samuel 19:11

    ¶ Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
 Back

Search Scripture