Old Testament

Psalms 59

Surrounded by Snarling Enemies

6 passages

Overview

David appeals urgently to God for rescue from enemies who encircle him without cause like prowling dogs in the night, prays for measured rather than immediate judgment so their fall may instruct Israel, and ultimately resolves his lament in a bold vow of praise to God as his strength and steadfast love.

Passages

1–5Cry for Deliverance from Unjust Enemies 6–8The Prowling Enemies and God's Mocking Response 9–10Confident Vigil and Trust in God's Loving Kindness 11–13Scatter but Do Not Destroy: Prayer for Measured Judgment 14–15The Enemies' Futile and Restless Wandering 16–17My Strength, My Song

Study Resources

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Psalms 59

¹For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.

²Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.

³For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.

⁴I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!

⁵You, Yahweh God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah.

⁶They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.

⁷Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?”

⁸But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.

⁹Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.

¹⁰My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.

¹¹Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.

¹²For 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.

¹³Consume 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.

¹⁴At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.

¹⁵They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied.

¹⁶But 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.

¹⁷To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

Psalms 58 Psalms 60