Psalms 59

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 59

1¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

4They run and prepare themselves without [my] fault: awake to help me, and behold.

5Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

6They return at evening: they make a noise 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?

8¶ But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

9[Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defence.

10The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall 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], that they [may] not [be]: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

14And at evening let them return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defence, [and] the God of my mercy.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 59 is a fervent prayer of David for deliverance from his murderous enemies, who unjustly seek his life. He appeals to God as his defence, asking Him to scatter and consume these wicked transgressors, not for his own sake, but so that all may know God's universal rule. Despite the threat, David expresses unwavering trust in God's power and mercy, vowing to sing His praises.

Medium Summary

In Psalm 59, David, facing a plot on his life by Saul's men, cries out to God for deliverance from "bloody men" and "workers of iniquity," asserting his innocence. He describes his enemies as prowling like dogs at evening, speaking arrogant and violent words. David expresses confidence that the Lord God of hosts will deride these foes. He prays for their scattering and consumption, not immediate destruction, so that the world may recognize God's rule "unto the ends of the earth." The psalm concludes with David's steadfast declaration to sing of God's power and mercy, acknowledging Him as his ultimate defence and refuge in times of trouble.

Long Summary

Psalm 59, attributed to David during a time when Saul's men watched his house to kill him, opens with an urgent plea for divine deliverance from "bloody men" and "workers of iniquity." David emphasizes his blamelessness, stating their pursuit is "not for my transgression, nor for my sin." He calls upon the "LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel," to awaken and visit judgment upon these wicked transgressors, showing them no mercy. The psalmist vividly portrays his enemies as returning at evening, making noise like dogs, and circling the city, their mouths belching out violent and arrogant words, believing no one hears them. Yet, David confidently declares that God will laugh at and deride them. He reaffirms his unwavering trust in God as his strength and "defence," anticipating God's mercy to allow him to see his desire upon his foes. David's prayer for judgment is specific: he asks God not to slay them immediately, "lest my people forget," but rather to scatter them by divine power and bring them down. He requests their consumption in wrath for their pride, cursing, and lying, with the explicit purpose that "they may know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth." The psalm reiterates the image of the enemies wandering for food, unsatisfied, before concluding with David's resolute vow to sing aloud of God's power and mercy in the morning, recognizing the Lord as his steadfast defence and refuge in the day of his trouble.

Core Concepts

  • Divine DeliveranceDavid earnestly prays for God to save him from his enemies, who are described as "workers of iniquity" and "bloody men" lying in wait for his soul.
  • Innocence of the SupplicantThe psalmist asserts his blamelessness before God, stating that his adversaries pursue him "not for my transgression, nor for my sin."
  • God as Defence and RefugeDavid expresses unwavering trust in the Lord, repeatedly calling Him his "defence," "strength," and "refuge" in the face of danger.
  • Judgment of the WickedThe psalm calls for God to scatter and consume the wicked for their pride, cursing, and lying, depicting their eventual state of wandering and dissatisfaction.
  • God's Universal SovereigntyA key purpose of God's judgment is declared to be "that they may know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth," emphasizing His supreme authority.
  • Enemies' Malice and ArroganceThe adversaries are portrayed as violent, dog-like figures who speak arrogant words, believing their wickedness goes unheard by God.
  • Vow of PraiseDespite his distress, David resolves to sing of God's power and mercy in the morning, affirming his continued trust and adoration.