Psalm 59:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,

NIV: See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD.

NASB: For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; Fierce men attack me, Not for my wrongdoing nor for my sin, Lord,

CSB: Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.

NLT: They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them.

KJV: For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

NKJV: For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.

David is praying for the Lord's protection against a violent group of men (Psalm 59:1–2). This corresponds to an incident where King Saul sent assassins to kill David, who escaped with the help of his wife, Michal (1 Samuel 19:11–16). Saul was angry that he had been rejected by God and was jealous of David (1 Samuel 15:11; 19:9–10). Though David had done nothing wrong, Saul was determined to have him killed (1 Samuel 20:30–33).

When David met with his friend, Jonathan, Saul's son, he also expressed grief knowing he was innocent: "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?" (1 Samuel 20:1). Later, David had an opportunity to kill Saul in a cave, but instead only stealthily cut off a corner of the king's robe. David used this as proof that he was not a rebel, nor as ruthless as his enemies (1 Samuel 24:11).

Psalm 59:1–8 contains David's prayer for rescue from his enemies. These men are evil and conspire against David, despite him having done nothing wrong. Yet David is assured that his God, powerful enough to control the entire world, can thwart their plots.

David prays, asking the Lord to deliver him from a lurking band of bloodthirsty enemies. He calls on the God of Israel to make an example of these lying, evil men, and to destroy them entirely. Rather than despair, David firmly trusts in the Lord and looks forward to victory. David concludes his psalm with praise to the Lord, his Strength, whose love is loyal. David praises God for being his fortress and shelter.

This is one of many psalms where David prays for rescue from his enemies (Psalm 3:1–3; 7:1–2; 54:1–2). King Saul jealously sent men to wait outside David's home to assassinate him (1 Samuel 19:11–16), but David was able to escape with the help of his wife. Because David asks for the Lord to severely judge the wicked, this is considered one of the "imprecatory" psalms, along with Psalms 5, 10, 58, 69, 83, 109, 137, 140, and others.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/19/2024 10:40:24 PM