1 > Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, Not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!
5 You, Yahweh God of hosts, the God of Israel, Rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah.
6 They return at evening, howling like dogs, And prowl around the city.
7 Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, "For," they say, "who hears us?"
8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, For God is my high tower.
10 My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.
11 Don't kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, Let them be caught in their pride, For the curses and lies which they utter.
13 Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, To the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.
15 They shall wander up and down for food, And wait all night if they aren't satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, A refuge in the day of my distress.
17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 59
Commentary on Psalms 59 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 59
Ps 59:1-17. See on Ps 57:1, title, and for history, 1Sa 19:11, &c. The scope is very similar to that of the fifty-seventh: prayer in view of malicious and violent foes, and joy in prospect of relief.
1. defend me—(Compare Margin).
rise up … me—(Compare Ps 17:7).
2. (Compare Ps 5:5; 6:8).
4, 5. prepare, &c.—literally, "set themselves as in array."
awake—(Compare Ps 3:7; 7:6), appeals to God in His covenant relation to His people (Ps 9:18).
6, 7. They are as ravening dogs seeking prey, and as such,
belch out—that is, slanders, their impudent barkings.
7. for who, say they—For the full expression with the supplied words, compare Ps 64:5.
8. (Compare Ps 2:4; 37:13).
9. By judicious expositors, and on good grounds, this is better rendered, "O my strength, on Thee will I wait" (Ps 59:17).
defence—(Compare Ps 18:3).
10. prevent me—(Ps 21:3).
see my desire—in their overthrow (Ps 54:7).
enemies—as in Ps 5:8.
11. Slay them not—at once (Jud 2:21-23); but perpetuate their punishment (Ge 4:12; Nu 32:13), by scattering or making them wander, and humble them.
12. let them even be … taken in their pride—while evincing it—that is, to be punished for their lies, &c.
13. Though delayed for wise reasons, the utter destruction of the wicked must come at last, and God's presence and power in and for His Church will be known abroad (1Sa 17:46; Ps 46:10, 11).
14, 15. Meanwhile let the rapacious dogs prowl, they cannot hurt the pious; yea, they shall wander famished and sleepless.
15. grudge if, &c.—literally, "they shall stay all night," that is, obtain nothing.
16, 17. Contrast the lot of God's servant, who employs his time in God's praise.
sing aloud … in the morning—when they retire famishing and disappointed, or it may denote delightful diligence in praise, as in Ps 30:5.