Psalms 59:1-11

1 To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God, protect me from those who rise up against me,

2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men band themselves against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,

4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Rouse thyself, come to my help, and see!

5 Thou, LORD God of hosts, art God of Israel. Awake to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. [Selah]

6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths, and snarling with their lips--for "Who," they think, "will hear us?"

8 But thou, O LORD, dost laugh at them; thou dost hold all the nations in derision.

9 O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee; for thou, O God, art my fortress.

10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!

Psalms 59:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. The history of Saul's sending messengers to watch the house of David, and to kill him when he rose in the morning, is in 1 Samuel 19:11; which was the occasion of his writing this psalm; though the title of the Syriac version of it is, "David said or composed this, when he heard that the priests were slain by Saul:" and in the same is added, "but unto us it declares the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith, and the rejection of the Jews." And which perhaps is designed in Psalm 59:5; and some interpreters are of opinion that the whole psalm is to be understood of Christ, of whom David was a type, especially in his sufferings; and there are some things in it which better agree with him than with David, as particularly his being without sin, Psalm 59:3.