Psalms 59:1

“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 church of God, and members of it, whom David may represent, have their enemies,…”

“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).”

“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 - perhaps by someone of her father’s family. She informed David of the…”

“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.”

“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”

“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 those who servilely give effect to the king's evil caprice; they run hither and…”