Psalms59
New Living Translation
1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
2 Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers.
3 They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them.
4 I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
5 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude
6 They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.
7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
8 But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.
12 Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.
13 Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Interlude
14 My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.
15 They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.
16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
Study
Psalms 59Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 59. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David prays for deliverance from his enemies. (1–7). He foresees their destruction. (8–17).
vv1-7
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, affliction, and persecution. And thus earnestly should we pray daily, to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts. We should fear suffering as evil-doers, but not be ashamed of the hatred of workers of iniquity. It is not strange, if those regard not what they themselves say, who have made themselves believe that God regards not what they say. And where there is no fear of God, there is nothing to secure proper regard to man.
vv8-17
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he has not what he would have, yet he does not quarrel with Providence, nor fret within himself. It is not poverty, but discontent that makes a man unhappy. David would praise God because he had many times, and all along, found Him his refuge in the day of trouble. He that is all this to us, is certainly worthy of our best affections, praises, and services. The trials of his people will end in joy and praise. When the night of affliction is over, they will sing of the Lord's power and mercy in the morning. Let believers now, in assured faith and hope, praise Him for those mercies, for which they will rejoice and praise him for ever.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַל תַּשְׁחֵת: 'Thou must not destroy'; probably the opening words to a popular song
מִכְתָּם: an engraving, i.e. (techn.) a poem
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
שָׁלַח: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שָׁמַר: properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
Psalms 59The historical occasion of Saul sending men to watch David's house to kill him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel description of malicious words as sharp, destructive weapons like swords.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel imagery of God laughing in derision at the proud, futile plots of wicked men.
Supported by JFB
The refrains match; David calls God his strength and defense in both verses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Pool compares the 'heathen' inside Israel to the 'strangers' acting like barbarians in Psalm 54.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Thematic parallel of a killer being spared immediate death to be a wandering, scattered monument of judgment.
Supported by JFB
Both proclaim that God's judgments make His rule over Israel known to all the earth.
Supported by JFB
The deliberate, ironic repetition of the wicked returning like growling, disappointed dogs in the evening.
Supported by JFB
The Lord laughs at the schemes of the wicked, knowing their day of judgment is coming.
Supported by JFB
God preventing or anticipating His servant with the blessings of His goodness and timely mercy.
Supported by JFB
Similar assurance of seeing God's justice executed and triumphing over malicious foes.
Supported by JFB
God's judgments globally exalt His sovereignty, demonstrating that He rules over the earth.
Supported by JFB
The contrasting transition from a night of danger to singing God's mercy in the morning.
Supported by JFB
Poole links Israel's wicked elites to heathens, echoing Amos comparing backslidden Israel to Ethiopians.
Supported by Matthew Poole