Psalms Chapter 59

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 17 Verses

What is Psalms 59 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Deliver 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. Psalm 60 For the Chief Musician; [set to] Shushan Eduth. Michtam of David, to teach; and when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God, etc.] David had his enemies in his youth, notwithstanding the amiableness of his person, the endowments of his mind, his martial achievements, his wise behaviour and conduct, and the presence of God with him; yea, it were some of these things that made Saul his enemy, who, by his power and authority, made others; (see <091805>1 Samuel 18:5-16). Christ had his enemies, though he went about doing good, both to the bodies and souls of men, continually; the chief priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, were his implacable enemies, and even the people of the Jews in general: and the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“See on Psa 57:1, title, and for history, Sa1 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. (Psa. 59:1-17) defend me--(Compare Margin). rise up . . . me--(Compare Psa 17:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God - See the notes at Psalms 18:48. This prayer was offered when the spies sent by Saul surrounded the house of David. They had come to apprehend him, and it is to be presumed that they had come in sufficient numbers, and with sufficient power, to effect their object. Their purpose was not to break in upon him in the night, but to watch their opportunity, when he went forth in the morning, to slay him 1 Samuel 19:11, and there seemed no way for him to escape. Of their coming, and of their design, Michal, the daughter of Saul, and the wife of David, seems to have been apprised -…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 4
“Run - To and fro, to receive Saul's commands, and to execute them with all speed. Psalms 59:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 59 The psalmist laments the power of enemies who conspire with other nations. 59:title the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house: See 1 Sam 19:11-18. 59:1-2 Protect me (or place me on high): When surrounded by evil, the godly pray for God to set them apart for himself and protect them.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Michtam: The seven poems of the celebrated Arabian poets who flourished before the time of Mohammed, called Moallakat, from being suspended on the walls of the temple of Mecca, were also called Modhabat, "golden," because they were written in letters of gold on the papyrus; and probably this is another reason why the six poems of David were called golden. when: Jdg 16:2, Jdg 16:3; Sa1 19:11-24; Co2 11:32, Co2 11:33 Deliver: Psa 7:1, Psa 7:2, Psa 18:48, Psa 71:4, Psa 143:12; Luk 1:74, Luk 1:75; Ti2 4:17, Ti2 4:18 defend me: Heb. set me on high, Psa 12:5, Psa 91:14; Isa 33:16 Psalms 59:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“First part. As far as Psa 59:4 we recognise strains familiar in the Psalms. The enemies are called מתקוממי as in Job 27:7, cf. Psa 17:7; עזּים as shameless, עזּי פנים or עזּי נפשׁ; as in Isa 56:11, on account of their bold shameless greediness, dogs. On לא in a subordinate clause, vid., Ewald, ֗286, g: without there being transgression or sin on my side, which might have caused it. The suffix (transgression on my part) is similar to Psa 18:24. בּליּ־עון (cf. Job 34:6) is a similar adverbial collateral definition: without there existing any sin, which ought to be punished. The energetic future jeruzûn depicts…”
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