Psalms 59 WBT
Summary: Headed "when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him" (1 Samuel 19), Psalm 59 describes enemies who "howl like dogs and go around the city" at evening, prowling for food (v. 6, 14), a refrain repeated to frame the psalm. Amid this besieged domestic scene, the psalmist asks God not to kill his enemies outright but to "make them totter by your power" as a lasting lesson to his people (v. 11). It closes shifting the dog imagery into a vow: the psalmist himself will sing of God's strength every morning, "for you have been to me a fortress" (v. 16-17).
1To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my 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 about the city.
7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?
8But 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 defense.
10The God of my mercy will succor me: God will let me see [my desire] upon my 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 to the ends of the earth. Selah.
14And at evening let them return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
15Let them wander up and down for food, and grudge if they are not satisfied.
16But I will sing of thy power; yes, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17To thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defense, [and] the God of my mercy.
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