Psalms 59
Psalms 59 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 59 summary
This psalm is of the same nature and scope with six or seven foregoing psalms; they are all filled with David's complaints of the malice of his enemies and of their cursed and cruel designs against him, his prayers and prophecies against them, and his comfort and confidence in God as his God. The first is the language of nature, and may be allowed; the second of a prophetical spirit, looking forward to Christ and the enemies of his kingdom, and therefore not to be drawn into a precedent; the third of grace and a most holy faith, which ought to be imitated by every one of us. In this psalm, I. He prays to God to defend and deliver him from…
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This psalm is of the same nature and scope with six or seven foregoing psalms; they are all filled with David's complaints of the malice of his enemies and of their cursed and cruel designs against him, his prayers and prophecies against them, and his comfort and confidence in God as his God. The first is the language of nature, and may be allowed; the second of a prophetical spirit, looking forward to Christ and the enemies of his kingdom, and therefore not to be drawn into a precedent; the third of grace and a most holy faith, which ought to be imitated by every one of us. In this psalm, I. He prays to God to defend and deliver him from his enemies, representing them as very bad men, barbarous, malicious, and atheistical (Psa 59:1-7). II. He foresees and foretels the destruction of his enemies, which he would give to God the glory of (Psa 59:8-17). As far as it appears that any of the particular enemies of God's people fall under these characters, we may, in singing this psalm, read their doom and foresee their ruin. To the chief musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when Saul sent and they watched the house to kill him.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 59 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Deliver Me from My Enemies
1For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: Set me on high from them that rise up against me. 2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the bloodthirsty men. 3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; The mighty gather themselves together against me: Not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Jehovah. 4They run and prepare themselves without [my] fault: Awake thou to help me, and behold. 5Even thou, O Jehovah God of hosts, the God of Israel, Arise to visit all the nations: Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. [Selah 6They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city. 7Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: For who, [say they], doth hear? 8But thou, O Jehovah, wilt laugh at them; Thou wilt have all the nations in derision. 9[Because of] his strength I will give heed unto thee; For God is my high tower. 10My God with his lovingkindness will meet me: God will let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies. 11Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. 12[For] the sin of their mouth, [and] the words of their lips, Let them even be taken in their pride, And for cursing and lying which they speak. 13Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they shall be no more: And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, Unto the ends of the earth. [Selah 14And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, And go round about the city. 15They shall wander up and down for food, And tarry all night if they be not satisfied. 16But I will sing of thy strength; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy lovingkindness in the morning: For thou hast been my high tower, And a refuge in the day of my distress. 17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing praises: For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.