King James Version
Psalms 59
17 verses with commentary
Deliver Me from My Enemies
To 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. Altaschith: or, To the chief Musician, destroy not, a golden Psalm of David defend: Heb. set me on high
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.</strong> This urgent opening plea reveals David's desperate circumstances facing mortal danger. The superscription indicates Saul sent men to watch David's house to kill him (1 Samuel 19:11-17), when Michal helped David escape through a window. "Deliver me" (<em>hatzileni</em>, הַצִּילֵנִי) means snatch aw...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Defend me.**—Literally, *set me on high, i.e., *place me on some lofty and secure height.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
16-19. A series of earnest appeals for aid because God had seemed to desert him (compare Psa 13:1; 17:13, &c.), his sins oppressed him, his enemies had enlarged his troubles and were multiplied, increasing in hate and violence (Psa 9:8; 18:48).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer for deliverance uses two parallel descriptions of enemies: 'workers of iniquity' and 'bloody men.' The Hebrew 'aven' (iniquity/wickedness) indicates not mere error but active evil. 'Bloody men' (literally 'men of bloods') emphasizes violent intent. This dual description reveals that David's enemies are both morally corrupt and physically dangerous, requiring divine intervention.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
16-19. A series of earnest appeals for aid because God had seemed to desert him (compare Psa 13:1; 17:13, &c.), his sins oppressed him, his enemies had enlarged his troubles and were multiplied, increasing in hate and violence (Psa 9:8; 18:48).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's innocence claim 'not for my transgression, nor for my sin' demonstrates that suffering isn't always punitive. The Hebrew 'pesha' (transgression/rebellion) and 'chatta'ah' (sin/missing the mark) cover all categories of offense. David faces persecution despite righteousness, prefiguring Christ who suffered 'not for his own sins' but for ours (1 Peter 2:22-24).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **For, lo, they lie in wait** **. . .**—Better, *for look, they have laid an ambush.*
**Mighty.**—Perhaps with the idea of insolence in their strength.
**Not for my transgression** **. . .**—Better, *Without transgression or fault of mine, *as in next verse.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
16-19. A series of earnest appeals for aid because God had seemed to desert him (compare Psa 13:1; 17:13, &c.), his sins oppressed him, his enemies had enlarged his troubles and were multiplied, increasing in hate and violence (Psa 9:8; 18:48).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. help: Heb. meet
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KJV Study Commentary
The enemies' running and preparation 'without my fault' emphasizes the injustice of persecution. David's appeal 'awake to help me' uses anthropomorphic language—God neither sleeps (Psalm 121:4) but David pleads for God to act visibly. 'Behold' requests divine witness of injustice, confident that God's omniscience will lead to intervention.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **They run and prepare.**—These words might both be taken in a military sense. For “run,” see Psalm 18:29; Job 15:26; Job 16:14.
**Help me.**—Literally, as in margin, *meet. *It is found in a hostile sense, and never in the sense of helping. A suggested emendation, “Awake to my *calling, *and behold,” removes the difficulty.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
16-19. A series of earnest appeals for aid because God had seemed to desert him (compare Psa 13:1; 17:13, &c.), his sins oppressed him, his enemies had enlarged his troubles and were multiplied, increasing in hate and violence (Psa 9:8; 18:48).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
David invokes God's covenant name (YHWH) and titles (God of hosts, God of Israel) to ground his appeal in specific promises. 'Awake to visit all the heathen' broadens from personal deliverance to universal judgment. The request to not 'be merciful to any wicked transgressors' seems harsh but reflects covenant justice—persistent rebels warrant judgment.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Therefore** **. . .**—Better, *Yea, even Thou **. . .** *Not only is there an emphatic “thou,” but the passion of prayer cannot exhaust itself without piling up all the customary names of the Divine Being.
**God of** **Israel.**—This is added so emphatically because of the “heathen,” against whom aid is invoked.
**All the heathen . . . wicked transgressors.**—These two terms are not synonymo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. keep my soul--**(Psa 16:1).
**put my trust--**flee for refuge (Psa 2:12).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
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KJV Study Commentary
The imagery of enemies as dogs 'that return at evening' depicts scavengers emboldened by darkness. Dogs in ancient Israel were unclean scavengers, not pets, making this a degrading comparison. 'Grin' (Hebrew 'hamah'—growl/moan) captures their menacing presence. Comparing wicked men to dogs anticipates Christ's warning against giving holy things to dogs (Matthew 7:6).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **A dog.**—This comparison to the gaunt half-starved wild dogs of an Eastern town has met us before (Psalm 22:16). The verbs should be rendered as futures here and in Psalm 59:15.
**Make a noise.**—Better, *howl. *(See Note Psalm 55:7.) An English traveller has described the noise made by the dogs of Constantinople: “The noise I heard then I shall never forget. The whole city rang with one vas...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. In conscious innocence of the faults charged by his enemies, he confidently commits his cause to God. Some refer--**
**integrity, &c.--**to God, meaning His covenant faithfulness. This sense, though good, is an unusual application of the terms.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
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KJV Study Commentary
The enemies' verbal assaults ('belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips') reveal that slander wounds like weapons. The Hebrew 'naba' (belch/pour forth) suggests uncontrolled verbal violence. Their rhetorical question 'who doth hear?' indicates practical atheism—assuming no accountability. This anticipates James's teaching on the tongue's deadly power (James 3:5-8).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Behold.**—Without question this word should, as Mr. Burgess suggests, be emended to “spears” (*chanîth *instead of *hinneh*)*, *to give—
“Spears they pour out with their mouths,
Swords with their lips.”
(Comp. Psalm 57:5, and
“She speaks poniards.”—*As You Like **It.***
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
22. Extend these blessings to all Thy people in all their distresses.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 59
Chapter Outline
David prays for deliverance from his enemies.(1-7)
He foresees their destruction.(8-17)
**Verses 1-7**
In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, aff...
Read full commentary →But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's laughter at the wicked demonstrates divine transcendence over human schemes. The Hebrew 'sachaq' (laugh/mock/scorn) appears in Psalm 2:4 describing God's response to nations' rebellion. 'Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision' reveals that from God's eternal perspective, human opposition is absurd, not threatening—a truth that emboldens believers facing persecution.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Laugh.**—Comp. Psalm 2:4, Note. Probably the same contrast is intended in these clauses as in Psalm 59:5.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. defence: Heb. high place
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.</strong> This verse marks a crucial pivot from describing enemies' violence (v.3-8) to confessing confidence in God. "Because of his strength" (<em>uzzo</em>, עֻזּוֹ) refers to the enemy's strength, might, and power. The Hebrew is literally "his strength I will watch for you" or "regarding his strength I will keep watch ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **His strength.**—This gives no intelligible meaning, and Psalm 59:17 shows that the ancient versions (and some MSS.) are right in reading “my strength” (vocative). The first two words of the next verse must also be brought back to this: “My strength, on Thee let me wait. For God is my fortress, God of my grace (or mercy),” *i.e., *my gracious or merciful God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 26 Psa 26:1-12. After appealing to God's judgment on his avowed integrity and innocence of the charges laid by his enemies, the Psalmist professes delight in God's worship, and prays for exemption from the fate of the wicked, expressing assurance of God's favor.
**1. Judge--**decide on my case; the appeal of innocence.
**in mine integrity--**freedom from blemish (compare Psa 25:21). His c...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. enemies: Heb. observers
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.</strong> This verse expresses confident expectation of divine intervention and vindication. "The God of my mercy" (<em>Elohei chasdi</em>, אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי) is literally "God of my covenant love." <em>Chesed</em> is that rich Hebrew word meaning loyal love, steadfast faithfulness, covenant commitment. G...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Prevent**—*i.e.*, come to meet. (See Psalm 21:3, Note.)
**See my desire.**—See Note, Psalm 54:7. (Comp. Psalm 92:11.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2. He asks the most careful scrutiny of his affections and thoughts (Psa 7:9), or motives.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer 'Slay them not' requests judgment that demonstrates God's power without immediate annihilation. 'Lest my people forget' reveals pedagogical purpose—gradual judgment teaches ongoing dependence on God. 'Scatter them' and 'bring them down' depict sustained divine discipline rather than instant destruction, mirroring God's patience in redemptive history.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Slay them not, lest my people forget . . .**—The Spartans refused to allow the destruction of a neighbouring city, which had often called forth their armies, saying, “Destroy not the whetstone of our young men.” Timon, in the play, is made to say—
“Live loath’d and long
You smiling smooth detested parasites,”
that the ruin of Athens might be complete, if deferred. National feeling, too, has...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. As often, the ground of prayer for present help is former favor.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The enemies' sin 'of their mouth' and 'words of their lips' emphasizes verbal transgression. Being 'taken in their pride' shows that arrogance precedes judgment (Proverbs 16:18). 'Cursing and lying' identifies specific sins warranting God's capture of them, fulfilled when Saul's lies and curses against David resulted in his own downfall.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **For** **the sin . . .**—As the text stands, it runs: *Sin of their mouth, word of their lips, and they are taken in their pride, and cursing and lying they say*; where some would supply a copula, “The sin of their mouth is the word of their lips,” which seems tautological nonsense. But, perhaps, we should take the accusative as adverb of instrument: *By the sin of their mouth, by the word o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The repeated plea 'Consume them in wrath' paradoxes with verse 11's 'slay them not.' Resolution lies in 'that they may not be'—judgment removing their power, not merely their existence. The purpose clause 'that they may know that God ruleth in Jacob' reveals that judgment serves testimony, extending 'unto the ends of the earth,' anticipating gospel's universal reach.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **That they may not be.**—Better, *That they may be no more. *These words are to be taken closely together. The signal overthrow of the poet’s foes is to be a proof to the ends of the world of the sovereign rule of the God of Jacob.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
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KJV Study Commentary
The repetition of verse 6's imagery creates refrain structure, emphasizing the persistent threat. Yet now this description appears after affirmations of God's sovereignty (vv. 8-13), suggesting confidence that their threatening returns will prove futile. The psalmist observes rather than fears their circling.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied. for meat: Heb. to eat and grudge: or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night
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KJV Study Commentary
The dogs now 'wander up and down for meat' depicts frustrated scavengers finding no prey. 'Grudge if they be not satisfied' (Hebrew 'lun'—murmur/complain/stay all night) shows persistent discontent. This portrays the wicked's essential futility—their efforts yield nothing substantial, anticipating Jesus's words about laboring for food that perishes (John 6:27).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Let them wander.**—This verse is variously understood. The margin gives the rendering of most modern scholars; but what does it mean by “They will pass the night”? To say they will not go away unsatisfied seems poor. Ewald’s conjecture, “They will satisfy themselves forsooth, and remain,” *i.e., *die, seems strained. The slightest change in the vowel-points gives the interpretation adopted ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This verse returns to the commitment to praise that characterizes many lament psalms. After describing enemies' violence, appealing for deliverance, and expressing confidence in God's vindication, David vows to sing praise. "But I wil...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.</strong> This concluding verse returns to themes introduced earlier, forming an inclusio (bookend structure) with the psalm's opening. "Unto thee, O my strength" (<em>uzzi</em>, עֻזִּי) addresses God as "my strength, my power, my might." This contrasts with enemy strength (v.9) and God's power (v.16). Da...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. Gather not, &c.--**Bring me not to death.
**bloody men--**(compare Psa 5:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he...
Read full commentary →