Psalms 59:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 59:6 vividly portrays the relentless and predatory nature of David's enemies, likening them to scavenging dogs that return under the cover of evening to prowl menacingly around the city. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's profound sense of being encircled and threatened by persistent adversaries, underscoring his desperate need for divine deliverance from those who operate with a savage, unyielding malice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 59 is a fervent prayer of lament and petition, specifically a Miktam of David, written when Saul sent men to watch his house and kill him (as recounted in [1 Samuel 19:11](/1_samuel/19-11 "1 Samuel 19:11 - Saul's Attempt on David's Life")). The psalm immediately precedes this verse with David's urgent plea for deliverance from his bloodthirsty foes ([Psalms 59:1-5](/psalms/59-1 "Psalms 59:1-5 - David's Plea for Deliverance")), setting the stage for the detailed description of his enemies' menacing actions. Following this verse, David continues to describe their slanderous words and their insatiable desire to devour him ([Psalms 59:7-8](/psalms/59-7 "Psalms 59:7-8 - Enemies' Slander and God's Laughter")), further emphasizing their depravity and the constant threat they pose, before shifting to expressions of trust in God's ultimate justice and protection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is David's flight from King Saul, who, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, sought to kill him. This particular incident involved Saul's men surrounding David's house, making the imagery of "going round about the city" a literal depiction of his immediate peril. In ancient Israel, dogs were generally not domesticated pets but rather wild, scavenging animals that roamed in packs, often associated with uncleanness, aggression, and contempt. They were seen as nuisances and predators, feeding on carrion and posing a threat to livestock and people. This cultural understanding of dogs as vile and contemptible creatures amplifies the derogatory and dehumanizing nature of the comparison David makes, highlighting the base and savage character of his enemies.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 59 and the broader Psalter. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **persistent hostility** and **unrelenting opposition**, portraying enemies who do not cease their malicious pursuit but "return at evening" to continue their sinister work. It also highlights the **degradation and dehumanization of the opponent**, as David likens his foes to wild, snarling dogs, stripping them of any moral standing and emphasizing their base, predatory instincts. This vivid description of the threat then serves to magnify the central theme of the psalm: the **desperate need for divine deliverance and protection**. David's detailed portrayal of his enemies' menace is designed to elicit God's swift and decisive intervention, a plea that resonates throughout the psalm, culminating in his declaration of trust in God as his "fortress" and "refuge" ([Psalms 59:9](/psalms/59-9 "Psalms 59:9 - God as David's Fortress")). The imagery of encirclement also speaks to the theme of **vulnerability and siege**, a common experience for those facing persecution, as seen in other laments where the righteous are surrounded by foes ([Psalms 22:12-16](/psalms/22-12 "Psalms 22:12-16 - Surrounded by Bulls and Dogs")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evening (עֶרֶב, _’erev_):** This word refers to the time of dusk or nightfall. In biblical literature, evening often symbolizes a time of increased vulnerability, danger, and the coming of darkness, both literal and metaphorical. It is when predators emerge, and illicit activities are often conducted under cover of darkness. The enemies' "return at evening" suggests a deliberate, stealthy, and persistent malice, as they wait for the opportune moment to resume their sinister operations, much like nocturnal hunters.
* **Dog (כֶּלֶב, _kelev_):** In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were generally despised, viewed as unclean scavengers, wild, and aggressive, often associated with impurity and violence. Unlike modern domesticated pets, they were typically feral animals that roamed in packs, feeding on refuse and carrion. To compare one's enemies to dogs was a profound insult, dehumanizing them and portraying them as base, savage, and contemptible creatures driven by instinctual malice rather than reason or morality. This imagery emphasizes their wild, uncontrolled nature and their insatiable hunger for destruction.
* **Go round about (סוּב, _suv_):** This verb means to "turn," "surround," or "encircle." It vividly paints a picture of the enemies actively patrolling, besieging, and asserting their menacing presence around the city or David's house. It conveys a sense of being trapped, with danger lurking on every side, and highlights the pervasive and inescapable nature of the threat. The enemies are not merely distant adversaries but are actively closing in, searching for an opportunity to strike.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They return at evening:"** This clause establishes the timing and persistence of the enemies' malevolent activity. It implies a cyclical, unyielding pursuit, suggesting that despite any temporary respite, the threat is not gone but merely recedes to return under the cover of darkness. This nocturnal return highlights their predatory nature, as they operate when defenses might be lower and visibility obscured, emphasizing their stealth and determination.
* **"they make a noise like a dog,"** This is a powerful simile that dehumanizes David's enemies, stripping them of their humanity and associating them with the most despised animals of the time. The "noise" suggests howling, growling, or snarling—the sounds of wild, aggressive animals in a pack. This auditory imagery evokes a sense of their savage, uncontrolled malice, their hunger for violence, and their contemptible character, emphasizing their base and predatory instincts.
* **"and go round about the city."** This final clause provides a visual of encirclement and siege. The enemies are not static but are actively patrolling the perimeter, searching for an opening, and asserting their menacing presence. For David, this was a literal reality as Saul's men surrounded his house. Metaphorically, it conveys a profound sense of being trapped, vulnerable, and constantly under threat, with danger looming from every direction, leaving no escape.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 59:6 is rich with powerful literary devices that amplify its message of threat and desperation. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in "they make a noise like a dog," which vividly compares the enemies to wild, scavenging canines. This comparison is not merely descriptive; it serves as a profound act of **Dehumanization**, stripping the adversaries of their human dignity and portraying them as base, savage, and contemptible creatures driven by instinctual malice. The verse also employs potent **Imagery**, painting a stark picture of nocturnal predators: "They return at evening" evokes the cover of darkness and the vulnerability it brings, while "go round about the city" creates a visual of encirclement, siege, and pervasive danger. The combined effect of these images creates a palpable sense of dread and confinement. Furthermore, there is an element of **Metaphor** in the broader application, where the "dogs" and their "prowling" can represent any persistent, destructive force that seeks to undermine or entrap the righteous, whether literal enemies, spiritual adversaries, or the insidious nature of sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 59:6, with its vivid imagery of prowling, dog-like enemies, deeply connects to the broader biblical themes of divine protection amidst persecution and the spiritual battle against forces of evil. The psalmist's experience of being surrounded by relentless foes resonates with the reality that God's people often face opposition that is persistent, dehumanizing, and seemingly inescapable. This verse underscores the theological truth that while adversaries may operate with savage intent and under the cover of darkness, God is sovereign over all circumstances and is the ultimate refuge for the oppressed. It highlights the contrast between the base, animalistic nature of human malice and the transcendent power and justice of God, who "scorns" the nations ([Psalms 59:8](/psalms/59-8 "God's Scorn for the Nations")). The very desperation conveyed by the imagery serves to amplify the need for God's intervention, making His deliverance all the more glorious.

* [Psalms 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Surrounded by Dogs")
* [Philippians 3:2](/philippians/3-2 "Beware of Dogs")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "The Prowling Adversary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The imagery of Psalms 59:6, though rooted in David's specific historical plight, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. We too can experience seasons where opposition feels relentless, insidious, and even dehumanizing, whether from spiritual adversaries, difficult circumstances, or human malice. The "evening" can symbolize times of vulnerability, discouragement, or when the darkness of sin or despair seems to close in. The "noise like a dog" reminds us that evil often manifests with aggressive, contemptible, and irrational ferocity, seeking to intimidate and devour. And the sense of being "round about the city" captures the feeling of being hemmed in, with no apparent escape. In such moments, this verse challenges us to acknowledge the reality of the threat without succumbing to fear or despair. Instead, like David, it calls us to turn our gaze upward, recognizing that our ultimate refuge and strength is in God. It encourages vigilance against the subtle and overt attacks of the enemy, and a steadfast reliance on divine protection, knowing that even when surrounded, God is our fortress and our deliverer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "surrounded" or persistently threatened, whether by circumstances, people, or spiritual attacks?**
* **How does the imagery of "dogs" and "evening" resonate with the nature of the opposition you've faced or are currently facing?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the character of evil, and how does understanding this help us respond in faith?**
* **How can David's response in this psalm—crying out to God—guide your own prayers when facing relentless challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why are David's enemies compared to dogs, and what does this signify?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, dogs were generally not beloved pets but rather wild, scavenging, and often aggressive animals that roamed in packs. They were considered unclean and contemptible. Comparing David's enemies to dogs was a profound insult, signifying their base, savage, and morally depraved nature. It suggests they are driven by instinctual malice, are without honor, and are relentlessly predatory, much like wild animals hunting for prey. This imagery emphasizes their dehumanized state and the contempt David felt for their actions, highlighting their viciousness and their insatiable desire to harm him. This portrayal is consistent with other biblical passages where "dogs" represent those outside God's covenant or those who are morally corrupt, as seen in [Philippians 3:2](/philippians/3-2 "Philippians 3:2 - Beware of Dogs") where Paul warns against false teachers.

**What is the significance of the enemies returning "at evening" and going "round about the city"?**

Answer: The phrase "at evening" suggests a time of darkness, vulnerability, and stealth. It implies that the enemies are operating under the cover of night, much like predators who emerge when their prey is less vigilant. This highlights their insidious and persistent nature; they don't give up but return cyclically to continue their malevolent work. "Going round about the city" (or David's house, in the historical context) paints a vivid picture of encirclement and siege. It signifies that the enemies are not a distant threat but are actively patrolling, searching for an opening, and asserting their menacing presence. This creates a powerful sense of being trapped, with danger lurking on every side, and underscores the pervasive and inescapable nature of the threat David faced. This imagery evokes a sense of being under constant watch and siege, much like the devil is described as "prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" in [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Prowling Adversary").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 59:6, with its harrowing depiction of David's enemies as prowling, dog-like adversaries, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the suffering and triumph of Jesus Christ. David's experience of being surrounded by relentless, dehumanizing foes foreshadows the ultimate persecution faced by the Son of God. Just as David's enemies "returned at evening" to pursue him, so too did the forces of darkness and human malice gather around Jesus, culminating in His arrest and crucifixion under the cover of night. The imagery of "dogs" making a noise and going "round about the city" powerfully echoes the taunts and savage cries of the crowds and Roman soldiers who surrounded Christ at the cross, fulfilling the prophetic words of [Psalms 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Psalms 22:16 - Surrounded by Dogs"): "For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me." Yet, unlike David, who still sought deliverance from his enemies, Jesus willingly submitted to this encirclement, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His death on the cross was not a defeat but the decisive victory over all spiritual adversaries—the "principalities and powers" that once held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over Principalities and Powers")). Through His resurrection, Christ ultimately triumphed over the "dogs" of death and sin, demonstrating that even when evil seems to surround and overwhelm, God's ultimate deliverance and justice prevail, securing eternal freedom for all who trust in Him ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from Death")).

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 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.