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Psalms 59

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Deliver meהַצִּילֵ֖נִיhaṣ·ṣî·lê·nî — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from my enemiesמֵאֹיְבַ֥י׀mê·’ō·yə·ḇay — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study →, O my Godאֱלֹהָ֑י’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; protect meתְּשַׂגְּבֵֽנִי׃tə·śag·gə·ḇê·nî — to set on high, to be exalted, to defend or protectH7682 — Full Word Study → from those who rise against meמִּמִתְקוֹמְמַ֥יmi·miṯ·qō·wm·may — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. 2Deliver meהַ֭צִּילֵנִיhaṣ·ṣî·lê·nî — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from workersמִפֹּ֣עֲלֵיmip·pō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → of iniquityאָ֑וֶן’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study →, and save meהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃hō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → from men of bloodshedדָ֝מִ֗יםḏā·mîm — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. 3Seeהִנֵּ֪הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → how they lie in waitאָֽרְב֡וּ’ā·rə·ḇū — To lie in ambush; to set a trap or attack by stealthH693 — Full Word Study → for meלְנַפְשִׁ֗יlə·nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. Fierce menעַזִ֑ים‘a·zîm — Strong, fierce, mightyH5794 — Full Word Study → conspireיָג֣וּרוּyā·ḡū·rū — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → against meעָלַ֣י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → for noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → transgressionפִשְׁעִ֖יp̄iš·‘î — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → or sin of my own, O LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 4For noבְּֽלִי־bə·lî- — without, lack of, absenceH1097 — Full Word Study → fault of my ownעָ֭וֺן‘ā·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →, they move swiftlyיְרוּצ֣וּןyə·rū·ṣūn — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → to attack meוְיִכּוֹנָ֑נוּwə·yik·kō·w·nā·nū — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →. Ariseע֖וּרָה‘ū·rāh — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study → to help meלִקְרָאתִ֣יliq·rā·ṯî — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study →, and take noticeוּרְאֵה׃ū·rə·ʾēh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →. 5O LORDיְהוָֽה־Yah·weh- — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֥ים׀’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֡וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, rouse Yourselfהָקִ֗יצָהhā·qî·ṣāh — to awake, arise from sleep or inactivityH6974 — Full Word Study → to punishלִפְקֹ֥דlip̄·qōḏ — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → allכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֑םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →; show noאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → mercyתָּחֹ֨ןtā·ḥōn — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → to theכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → wickedאָ֣וֶן’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → traitorsבֹּ֖גְדֵיbō·ḡə·ḏê — To act treacherously; betray or deal unfaithfullyH898 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 6They returnיָשׁ֣וּבוּyā·šū·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → in the eveningלָ֭עֶרֶבlā·‘e·reḇ — Evening, the time of day when sun setsH6153 — Full Word Study →, snarlingיֶהֱמ֥וּye·hĕ·mū — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → like dogsכַכָּ֗לֶבḵak·kā·leḇ — Dog; unclean animal used as insult or metaphorH3611 — Full Word Study → and prowling aroundוִיס֥וֹבְבוּwî·sō·wḇ·ḇū — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → the cityעִֽיר׃‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 7See whatהִנֵּ֤ה׀hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → they spewיַבִּ֘יע֤וּןyab·bî·‘ūn — to pour out, gush forth, utter abundantlyH5042 — Full Word Study → from their mouthsבְּפִיהֶ֗םbə·p̄î·hem — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →sharp wordsחֲ֭רָבוֹתḥă·rā·ḇō·wṯ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → from their lipsבְּשִׂפְתוֹתֵיהֶ֑םbə·śip̄·ṯō·w·ṯê·hem — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →: “Forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → whoמִ֥יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can hear usשֹׁמֵֽעַ׃šō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →?” 8But Youוְאַתָּ֣הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, laughתִּשְׂחַק־tiś·ḥaq- — to laugh, mock, or make sportH7832 — Full Word Study → at them; You scoffתִּ֝לְעַ֗גtil·‘aḡ — To mock, deride, or laugh in scornH3932 — Full Word Study → at allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsגּוֹיִֽם׃gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →. 9I will keep watchאֶשְׁמֹ֑רָה’eš·mō·rāh — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → for Youאֵלֶ֣יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, O my strengthעֻ֭זּוֹ‘uz·zōw — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study →, because You, O Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, are my fortressמִשְׂגַּבִּֽי׃miś·gab·bî — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study →. 10My Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of loving devotionחַסְדּוֹḥas·dō — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → will come to meet meיְקַדְּמֵ֑נִיyə·qad·də·mê·nî — to meet, come before, prevent, anticipateH6923 — Full Word Study →; Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will let me stare downיַרְאֵ֥נִיyar·’ê·nî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → my foesבְשֹׁרְרָֽי׃ḇə·šō·rə·rāy — enemy, adversary, foeH8324 — Full Word Study →. 11Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → kill themתַּהַרְגֵ֤ם׀ta·har·ḡêm — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study →, orפֶּֽן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → my peopleעַמִּ֗י‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → will forgetיִשְׁכְּח֬וּyiš·kə·ḥū — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study →. Scatter themהֲנִיעֵ֣מוֹhă·nî·‘ê·mōw — to shake, move back and forth, wanderH5128 — Full Word Study → by Your powerבְ֭חֵילְךָḇə·ḥê·lə·ḵā — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →, and bring them downוְהוֹרִידֵ֑מוֹwə·hō·w·rî·ḏê·mōw — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, our shieldמָֽגִנֵּ֣נוּmā·ḡin·nê·nū — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →. 12By the sinsחַטַּאת־ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ- — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → of their mouthsפִּ֗ימוֹpî·mōw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → and the wordsדְּֽבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of their lipsשְׂפָ֫תֵ֥ימוֹśə·p̄ā·ṯê·mōw — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →, let them be trappedוְיִלָּכְד֥וּwə·yil·lā·ḵə·ḏū — To capture, seize, or take hold ofH3920 — Full Word Study → in their prideבִגְאוֹנָ֑םḇiḡ·’ō·w·nām — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study →, in the cursesוּמֵאָלָ֖הū·mê·’ā·lāh — oath, curse, sworn agreementH423 — Full Word Study → and liesוּמִכַּ֣חַשׁū·mik·ka·ḥaš — Lying, falsehood, or deceptionH3585 — Full Word Study → they utterיְסַפֵּֽרוּ׃yə·sap·pê·rū — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study →. 13Consumeכַּלֵּ֥הkal·lêh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → them in wrath; consume themכַּלֵּ֪הkal·lêh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → till they are no moreוְֽאֵ֫ינֵ֥מוֹwə·’ê·nê·mōw — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →, so it may be knownוְֽיֵדְע֗וּwə·yê·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → to the endsלְאַפְסֵ֖יlə·’ap̄·sê — End, cessation, extremity; nothing, noughtH657 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאָ֣רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Godאֱ֭לֹהִים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → rulesמֹשֵׁ֣לmō·šêl — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → over Jacobבְּיַעֲקֹ֑בbə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 14They returnוְיָשׁ֣וּבוּwə·yā·šū·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → in the eveningלָ֭עֶרֶבlā·‘e·reḇ — Evening, the time of day when sun setsH6153 — Full Word Study →, snarlingיֶהֱמ֥וּye·hĕ·mū — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → like dogsכַכָּ֗לֶבḵak·kā·leḇ — Dog; unclean animal used as insult or metaphorH3611 — Full Word Study → and prowling aroundוִיס֥וֹבְבוּwî·sō·wḇ·ḇū — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → the cityעִֽיר׃‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 15Theyהֵ֭מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → scavengeיְנוּעוּןyə·nū·ʿūn — to shake, move back and forth, wanderH5128 — Full Word Study → for foodלֶאֱכֹ֑לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →, and growlוַיָּלִֽינוּ׃way·yā·lî·nū — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → they are notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → satisfiedיִ֝שְׂבְּע֗וּyiś·bə·‘ū — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study →. 16But Iוַאֲנִ֤י׀wa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will singאָשִׁ֣יר’ā·šîr — to sing, make musicH7891 — Full Word Study → of Your strengthעֻזֶּךָ֮‘uz·ze·ḵā — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → and proclaimוַאֲרַנֵּ֥ןwa·’ă·ran·nên — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָḥas·de·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → in the morningלַבֹּ֗קֶרlab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You areהָיִ֣יתָhā·yî·ṯā — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my fortressמִשְׂגָּ֣בmiś·gāḇ — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study →, my refugeוּ֝מָנ֗וֹסū·mā·nō·ws — refuge, a way of escape or flightH4498 — Full Word Study → in timesבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of troubleצַר־ṣar- — to bind, squeeze, or oppress; to distress or afflictH6887 — Full Word Study →. 17To Youאֵלֶ֣יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, O my strengthעֻ֭זִּי‘uz·zî — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study →, I sing praisesאֲזַמֵּ֑רָה’ă·zam·mê·rāh — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You, O Godאֱלֹהִ֥ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, are my fortressמִ֝שְׂגַּבִּ֗יmiś·gab·bî — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study →, my Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of loving devotionחַסְדִּֽי׃ḥas·dî — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 59
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 59 is a prayer of David for deliverance from his enemies, likely written during a time when he was being hunted and threatened with death. Rather than seeking revenge, David appeals to God as his ultimate defender and judge. The psalm moves from urgent petition (verses 1–5) through a vivid description of his enemies' wickedness (verses 6–8), then to confident trust in God's protection (verses 9–13), and finally to a commitment to praise God for His faithfulness (verses 14–17). This is a psalm that teaches believers how to respond to opposition and persecution with faith rather than fear.

Verses 1–5: The Urgent Cry for Deliverance

David opens with an immediate, passionate appeal: "Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God." He is surrounded by those who want to harm him—workers of iniquity and bloody men (verse 2), meaning those intent on violence and murder. What is significant here is David's insistence that he is innocent: "not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD" (verse 3). He is not suffering because of personal guilt but because of his enemies' malice. In verse 5, David calls upon the LORD God of hosts—emphasizing God's power and authority over all things—and boldly asks God to "awake" to intervene. The word Selah (a liturgical pause) invites us to pause and reflect on God's majesty and readiness to act.

Application: When we face opposition that we know is unjust, we can bring our case directly to God. He is not indifferent; He is the God of hosts, fully capable of defending the innocent.

Verses 6–8: The Character of the Enemy

David describes his enemies with vivid, almost contemptuous language. They prowl around the city "like a dog" (verse 6), suggesting both danger and base behavior. They "belch out with their mouth" and have "swords in their lips"—their words are weapons designed to wound and kill (verse 7). Most tellingly, they ask "for who...doth hear?" assuming no one will hold them accountable. But here comes the turning point: "thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them" (verse 8). God does not take their threats seriously; He regards them with divine derision. This is not mocking cruelty but the certainty that evil schemes against the righteous will ultimately fail.

Application: When enemies gossip, slander, or threaten, remember that God sees and hears everything. He takes note of their wickedness, and His justice will prevail.

Verses 9–13: Trust and the Request for Justice

Here David shifts from fear to faith: "Because of his strength will I wait upon thee." Rather than acting in his own strength, David depends entirely on God. In verses 10–11, he asks not for the death of his enemies but for their scattering and humbling, so that others might learn that "God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth" (verse 13). David wants the judgment of God to serve as a testimony to His sovereignty. This is a request for righteous judgment, not personal vengeance.

Application: True faith means waiting on God's timing and methods rather than taking matters into our own hands. When we see God's justice executed, it strengthens the faith of others.

Verses 14–17: From Prayer to Praise

The psalm concludes with David's commitment to sing of thy power and sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning (verse 16). Even before deliverance is fully realized, he determines to praise. "God is my defence and refuge" (verse 17)—not only in some future day, but now, in his present trouble.

Application: Praise and worship are powerful spiritual disciplines that strengthen our trust in God during times of crisis.

Application for Today

Psalm 59 teaches us that opposition and persecution are real, but they need not shake our confidence in God's sovereignty. When facing injustice, we are called to pray boldly, trust completely, and praise persistently. God's justice will ultimately prevail, and our role is to remain faithful and faithful in witness to His power.

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