Psalms 59
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Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 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.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But 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 defence.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay 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.
13 Consume 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.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But 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.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 59:1-17
Deliver Me from My Enemies
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.
1Deliver 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.
10My 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,
13consume 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
14Each 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.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 59:1-17
Psalm 59
For 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.
1Deliver 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.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
David knew he could confidently call on God to deliver him, for a number of reasons:
1) He is “Lord God Almighty”, God of angel armies. He has spiritual warriors in uncountable numbers to send to the aid of the humblest, weakest person who cries to Him for help.
2) He laughs off the threats against us because He already has the matter in hand. “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted [or tried] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Cor 10:13).
3) David calls Him “my loving God”, and adds, “I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love.” That is, God’s steadfast love (RSV), His unfailing love, His absolute faithfulness to us each new day.
4) “God will go before me.” Whatever situation we face, God has already met it and will take us through it.
5) God’s reputation is at stake; when He delivers us, says David, “It will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.” The story will spread, and God’s saving power will be evident and honoured.
Garth Bainbridge
Australia
