Psalms
Psalm 59
KJV
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
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.
They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
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.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
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.
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.
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
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.
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Overview
Psalm 59 faces repeated hostile pursuit without romanticizing danger. It asks God for deliverance, names violent and arrogant speech, entrusts judgment to God, repeats the image of enemies prowling the city, and finally answers the night with morning praise to God as fortress and steadfast love.
Setting and context
The superscription associates Psalm 59 with David when Saul sent men to watch his house. The poem moves through urgent rescue, protest of innocence in the immediate charge, enemy imagery, imprecation, repeated evening prowling, and a final morning song of confidence.
Themes
Deliverance from violent pursuit · Innocence regarding a specific accusation · Destructive speech and arrogant power · Imprecatory prayer and divine judgment · God as fortress and defense · Evening threat answered by morning praise
Reflection
Psalm 59 encourages honest prayer under threat, practical pursuit of safety, truthful speech, lawful accountability, refusal of private revenge, and deliberate re-centering on God’s steadfast love.
Reading notes
The psalm directs rescue and judgment petitions to God. Its animal imagery describes threatening conduct, and its imprecations do not authorize revenge, vigilantism, persecution, political violence, collective punishment, or dehumanization.
Key passages
Psalm 59:1: The psalm begins by asking God for deliverance and secure protection from hostile pursuers. Seek God’s help while also taking appropriate concrete safety measures. Psalm 59:5: The appeal to the God of hosts entrusts severe judgment to divine authority. Bring moral outrage to God while pursuing lawful and proportionate accountability. Psalm 59:9: The psalmist turns from enemy strength to God as his true stronghold and waits for him. Do not let threatening power become the largest reality in your field of attention. Psalm 59:13: The severe imprecation asks God to end rebellious violence so his rule becomes known everywhere. Pray for evil to end without taking destructive authority into your own hands. Psalm 59:16: Morning praise celebrates God as strength, steadfast love, fortress, and refuge after the night of danger. Let gratitude for preservation coexist with continuing recovery and practical care.
Questions readers ask
What is the main message of Psalm 59? Psalm 59 brings real danger, false accusation, violent speech, and anger before God, entrusts judgment to him, and ends by praising God as fortress and steadfast love. Why are the enemies compared to dogs? The metaphor portrays persistent, threatening prowling behavior. It must not be used to deny human dignity or justify dehumanization. How should Christians read the violent prayers in Psalm 59? As imprecatory lament that entrusts judgment to God, not as authorization for private revenge, political violence, persecution, or collective punishment.