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Psalm chapter 59

English Standard Version

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, 4for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah 6Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 7There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips — for "Who," they think, "will hear us?" 8But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. 9O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. 10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 11Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! 12For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, 13 consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah 14 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 15They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. 16But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
New International Version

1For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. 3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord. 4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. 6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, "Who can hear us?"
8But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations. 9You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,
10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 11But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. 12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
13consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. 14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.
16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
New American Standard Bible

1Rescue me from my enemies, my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. 2Rescue me from those who practice injustice, And save me from men of bloodshed. 3For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; Fierce men attack me, Not for my wrongdoing nor for my sin, Lord, 4 For no guilt of mine, they run and take their stand against me. Stir Yourself to help me, and see! 5You, Lord God of armies, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who deal treacherously in wrongdoing. Selah 6They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And prowl around the city. 7Behold, they gush forth with their mouths; Swords are in their lips, For, they say, 'Who hears?' 8But You, Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations. 9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my refuge. 10 My God in His faithfulness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my enemies. 11Do not kill them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power and bring them down, Lord, our shield. 12 On account of the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, May they even be caught in their pride, And on account of curses and lies which they tell. 13 Destroy them in wrath, destroy them so that they will no longer exist; So that people may know that God rules in Jacob, To the ends of the earth. Selah 14They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And prowl around the city. 15They wander about for food And murmur if they are not satisfied. 16But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I will joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, For You have been my refuge And a place of refuge on the day of my distress. 17My strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my refuge, the God who shows me favor.
Christian Standard Bible

1For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him. Rescue me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me. 2Rescue me from those who practice sin, and save me from men of bloodshed. 3Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine. 4For no fault of mine, they run and take up a position. Awake to help me, and take notice.
5 Lord God of Armies, you are the God of Israel. Rise up to punish all the nations; do not show favor to any wicked traitors. Selah 6They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. 7Look, they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips. "For who," they say, "will hear?" 8But you laugh at them, Lord; you ridicule all the nations. 9I will keep watch for you, my strength, because God is my stronghold.
10My faithful God will come to meet me; God will let me look down on my adversaries. 11Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield. 12For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. They utter curses and lies.
13Consume them in rage; consume them until they are gone. Then people will know throughout the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
15They scavenge for food; they growl if they are not satisfied. 16But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. 17To you, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold— my faithful God.
New Living Translation

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. 2Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. 3They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them. 4I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
5O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude
6They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. 7Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. 'After all, who can hear us?' they sneer. 8But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations. 9You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress. 10In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield. 12Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.
13Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Interlude
14My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. 15They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.
16But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. 17O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
King James Version

1To 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?
8But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9Because 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.
12For 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.
New King James Version

1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.} Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me. 2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloodthirsty men. 3For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. 4They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!
5You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah
6 At evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city. 7Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?” 8But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision. 9I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense. 10My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies. 11Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your 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 the cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, That they may not be; And let them know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth. Selah
14And at evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city. 15They wander up and down for food, And howl if they are not satisfied. 16But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble. 17To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.

What does Psalm chapter 59 mean?

Although Saul was the first king of Israel, he ignored the Lord and was ultimately rejected by Him (1 Samuel 15:11). David was God's chosen successor (1 Samuel 16:13). Even though David never attempted to take over the throne, Saul was violently jealous (1 Samuel 19:9–10). This psalm was inspired by an incident where Saul sent assassins to watch David's home. The plot was foiled when David's wife—Michal, daughter of king Saul—helped David escape through a window (1 Samuel 19:11–16). David mostly praises God for the rescue he is sure will come. Yet he also calls on the Lord to bring disaster and justice to these evil ones—making this one of the so-called "imprecatory" psalms.

David begins by praying for rescue. He refers to those who attack him as "bloodthirsty" or "men of blood." These are violent people participating in evil. David often found himself in dangerous situations (1 Samuel 17:34–35, 48–49; 19:8; 2 Samuel 15:13–14). Yet, his consistent pattern was to trust in God and rely on His power (Psalm 3:1–3; 35:1–2; 54:1–3). This request is soon followed by an explanation of the activities of David's enemies (Psalm 59:1–2).

Those who lurk to attack David act like the feral dogs of ancient Israel: moving in a pack, in the night, waiting to attack unsuspecting prey. David knows their plot is based on lies and evil, because he has done nothing to deserve their violence (1 Samuel 20:1–3). Their words are violent, and they act arrogantly as if there will be no consequence for their crimes (Psalm 59:3–7).

Still, David has confidence in God's ultimate control over all things. David turns from an emphasis on his opponents to an expression of deep faith in the Lord's power. He refers to God as his "strength" and anticipates the moment of victory which is sure to come. David bases this assurance on the Lord's previous work in preserving David's life (1 Samuel 17:34–35, 48–49). David chooses faith in God's loyal and consistent love, rather than fear (Psalm 59:8–10).

Rather than a swift death, David prays that God will make an example of these enemies. Since David was able to escape, their crimes are in the form of plotting and lying. David knows Israel's history of forgetting—or ignoring—God's work on their behalf (Judges 2:16–19). He hopes their conspiracy will be revealed, and crushed, before the conspirators are completely obliterated. As with other imprecatory passages, David does not plan to take revenge himself. Instead, he trusts that God (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19) will bring retribution (Psalm 59:11–13).

The psalm ends with David comparing the animal-like, evil noises of his enemies to his own singing of praise. David expects to be rescued from this danger and to worship God once more (Psalm 59:14–17)
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