Psalm 59 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 59:16
Verse: אֲנִי אוֹדֶךָּ בְּצִדְקָתֶךָ
Transliteration: Ani odekkha b’tzidkatekha
English: “But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning.”
Focus Word: צִדְקָה (Tzidkah)
- Root: צ-ד-ק (Tsade-Dalet-Qof)
- Meaning: “Righteousness,” “justice,” “integrity.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew tzidkah conveys moral rightness and faithfulness, highlighting God’s character as the basis for praise.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| הַצִּילֵנִי — hatzileini | Verse 1 — “Deliver me from my enemies…” | “To rescue,” deliver. | Hatzileini (“to deliver”) conveys urgent plea for rescue (“deliver”). It reflects helplessness before powerful foes. The word sets the Psalm’s tone of dependence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| מְשַׂגְּבִי — misgavi | Verse 9 — “God is my defense…” | “High fortress,” stronghold. | Misgavi (“high fortress”) portrays God as elevated refuge (“defense/fortress”). It conveys protection beyond reach of enemies. The word reinforces covenant security. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| רָצוֹן — ratzon | Verse 5 — “…wake to help me…” | “Favor,” goodwill. | Ratzon (“favor”) implies divine acceptance (“favor”). It grounds deliverance in God’s gracious disposition. The term strengthens his hope for intervention. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| עָרַב — arav | Verse 6 — “They return at evening…” | “To stir,” be restless. | Arav (“to stir”) depicts prowling restlessness (“return/stir”). It portrays persistent hostility. The word deepens nighttime danger imagery. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| נָהַם — naham | Verse 6 — “…they growl like a dog…” | “To growl,” roar. | Naham (“to growl”) conveys violent aggression (“growl”). It emphasizes the savage nature of the enemies. The term heightens emotional intensity. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| עִיר — ir | Verse 6 — “…and go around the city.” | “City,” settlement. | Ir (“city”) frames danger at the psalmist’s home base (“city”). It reveals intrusive hostility. The word situates conflict socially and geographically. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| נָזַל — nazal | Verse 7 — “…belch with their mouth.” | “To gush,” pour forth. | Nazal (“to gush”) denotes uncontrolled, foul speech (“belch”). It symbolizes corruption issuing from within. The term intensifies the hostile portrait. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| צוֹחַ — tso’ach | Verse 8 — “You laugh at them…” | “To mock,” deride. | Tso’ach (“to mock”) depicts divine derision (“laugh/mock”). It reveals God’s superiority over enemies. The term reassures the faithful of divine triumph. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| חֶסֶד — chesed | Verse 10 — “My God of mercy shall come to meet me.” | “Covenant love,” steadfast mercy. | Chesed (“covenant love”) underscores divine loyalty (“mercy”). It anchors the Psalmist’s confidence in relational faithfulness. The word forms the emotional heart of the Psalm. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| עֻזִּי — uzzi | Verse 17 — “You are my strength…” | “Strength,” power. | Uzzî (“strength”) describes God as the source of sustaining might (“strength”). It expresses triumph after deliverance. The term closes the Psalm with confidence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 59 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Notes that the Psalm models prayer for deliverance and patience amidst persistent adversaries. |
| Matthew Poole (University of Oxford, 1624–1679) | Synopsis Criticorum | Observes that God’s protection allows the faithful to remain steadfast despite threats. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Emphasizes that trust in God’s justice brings courage when facing unjust opposition. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Notes the Psalm demonstrates reliance on God for both personal and communal security. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Observes that persistent prayer and faith in God’s protection are key themes of the Psalm. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as David’s plea for deliverance from murderous men sent by Saul. Their cruelty contrasts with God’s steadfast protection. Praise becomes David’s refuge in the night of danger. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as the cry of a righteous man surrounded by violent foes. Their rage is persistent, but God is a sure defense. The psalm ends in confident praise. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes reads the psalm as a vivid description of hostile enemies lurking like wild beasts. The psalmist’s trust in God is unshaken. Deliverance leads to singing of mercy. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison highlights the psalmist’s innocence in contrast with his enemies’ malice. God is the fortress of the afflicted. The night of danger turns into the morning of song. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford sees the psalm as a prayer under siege from bloodthirsty men. Their relentless malice is laid before God. Protection is found in divine strength. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar interprets the psalm as portraying the Church threatened by fierce adversaries. God’s mercy is the believer’s bulwark. Praise rises from assured preservation. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker views the psalm as revealing the cruelty of human hatred. God’s intervention shields the righteous. Trust transforms fear into song. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the psalmist’s confidence amid extreme danger. God’s faithfulness is a fortress. The final note is triumphant thanksgiving. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees the psalm as depicting the night-watch of faith. Enemies prowl, but divine mercy surrounds the believer. Morning brings joyful praise. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church surrounded by evil powers. God stands as her tower of refuge. The psalm closes with steadfast praise. |
