What does Psalm 59:11 mean?
This is one of the "imprecatory" psalms. These songs request God to bring disaster and devastation on wicked people (Psalm 5; 58; 137). In another of these passages, David used graphic terminology against his enemies (Psalm 58:6–8). Here, the men who oppose him act like predators and animals (Psalm 59:1–7). Rather than wishing his attackers a speedy death, David calls on the Lord to prolong the process of their defeat. As much as David wishes to be rescued, he also wants these men made into an example for others before they meet their doom (Psalm 59:13).David's thoughts seem aimed at the nation of Israel. The Old Testament records many times when God's chosen people forgot—or chose to ignore—His miraculous work on their behalf (Judges 2:16–19). The concern here seems to be that an instant defeat of Saul's assassins (1 Samuel 19:11–16) would be easily missed or forgotten by the people. A drawn-out, public defeat would make a clear example of those who deal in evil. In this instance, David wants to see his enemies punished for their plotting with prideful, conspiring words (Psalm 59:12).
As with other imprecatory psalms, David does not declare intent to take revenge, himself. Nor does he ask God for permission to act. Rather, David calls on the Lord to do as He will, trusting that He is good. He views the Lord as the ultimate source of protection, for both the believer and the nation of Israel. This is a common image in the psalms (Psalm 7:10; 18:2, 30; 28:7; 33:20; 84:11; 115:9–11; 119:14; 144:2). The idea was established well before the nation of Israel, however. When Abram might have feared that the king of Sodom would take revenge on him for refusing a reward, the Lord appeared to him in a vision and said, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great" (Genesis 15:1).
