What does Psalm 59:13 mean?

David has asked the Lord to save him from enemies (Psalm 59:1–3) who have formed an assassination plot against him (1 Samuel 19:11–16). He wants God to make an example of these wicked, lying plotters (Psalm 59:11–12). Here, David makes it clear he wished these wicked people utterly obliterated. This puts these verses among the "imprecatory" psalms: passages invoking God's wrath and disaster on an enemy.

Though this destruction would be an object lesson to Israel (Psalm 59:11), it would also send a message to the entire world. Saul plotted to murder David out of jealousy (1 Samuel 20:30–33) after being rejected by the Lord (1 Samuel 15:11). David was God's chosen replacement (1 Samuel 16:13). To attack David, then, was to challenge God's authority over His chosen people. Thwarting that plot would make it clear that the Lord, not people, is ultimately in control of Israel's fate.

For centuries, wicked nations have tried to obliterate the Jews, but they have failed. The Lord's people have been scattered around the world. However, God has promised to restore them to their homeland and cause the entire world to acknowledge the Lord their God. This will happen when Jesus returns to earth, judges the nations, and establishes His kingdom on earth. Ezekiel 39:26–27 promises that redeemed Israel will dwell safely in their homeland after the Lord has brought them back from the nations. Zechariah 14:9 declares, "And the Lᴏʀᴅ will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lᴏʀᴅ will be one and his name one."

This Hebrew term selah is not clearly defined but seems to request a pause for reflection.