Psalms 59

David being in danger to be apprehended and put to death by Sauls servants, prayeth unto God for deliverance, relateth his innoceny, and the blood thirsteen and fury of his enemies, which he opposeth with his confidence in his vengeance unto others, to quell their insolency, and to change the same into misery; and promiseth God thankfulness.

1. A Golden Jewel of David for the chief Song-master, Altascheth: [See Psalm 57.on verse 1.] When Saul had sent, such as should guard (his) house, to put him to death. [But David by the good providence of God, being let out of the window by Michal had escaped, 1 Sam.19.12.]

2. Rescue me from mine enemies, O my God: put me into an high retreat, [Where I may be free and safe] before them, that rise up against me.

3. Rescue me from the workers of iniquity; and deliver me from the men of blood. [See Psalm 5.on verse 7.]

4. For, behold, they lay wait, (or lie in wait) for my soul, [For my life or person.] strong ones rout (or gather themselves) against me without my transgression, and without my sin O LORD: [i.e. without having sinned or trespassed against them, without any cause given by me.]

5. They run and make themselves ready, (prepare,) [To surprise and fall upon me] without (my) misdeed: awake to meet me [for to succour and rescue me in due place and season] and behold. [in what straight I am, and what mischief they do plot against me.]

6. Yea Thou, LORD God of hosts [See 1 King 18.on v.15.] God of Israel awake, to visit [punish: see Gen.21.on v.1.] all these heathens: [bastard Israelites, which do resemble if not exceed the barbarous malice and bitterness of the heathen, compare Psalm.54.on v.5.] be gracious to no unrighteous faith-breaker] Sela. [See Psalm 3.on v.3.]

7. Aghast the seeing they return again, [After they had sought me all day and found me not. Or they turn to and fro, to entrap me some where o other;] they make a noise like a dog, [that barketh and maketh great noise, as he is pursuing or hunting the Dear, or howleth and crieth for meat being hungry, and getting nothing. See verse 15.16. and Compare Psalm.22.on v.17.] and they go round about the City.

8. Behold, they power out abundantly out of their mouth; [Or bubble, shed, issue forth all manner of slanderous reports of me, of the Hebrew word here used, See Psal.19.on v.13. and compare Jer.6.7. and below v.13.] swords are upon their lips: for who hears its? [These are the words of the enemies, whereby they shew that no fear of God restrains them, speaking even what they lift, as if there were no God that heard it. See Psalm.10.11. and 94.7.]

9. But thou, LORD, shalt deride them; [See Psalm 2.on v.4.] thou shalt mock all the heathen. [See above, verse 6.]

10. (Against) his strength, [That of mine enemy, Saul, [shall I wait upon thee, for God is my high retreat. [He being a great deal too strong and mighty for me; so that I am not able to make any resistance; I do even commend all to thee; resolved to wait with patience, abiding and looking out, or for thy onely help and protection, wherein I am more safe, then if I were secured in the highest and strongest sort that might be found. Comp.below, v.17.18.]

11. The God of my kindness, [Or of my benignity. Bountifulness, i.e. my kind or bountiful God, who is very gracious and tender unto me, and hath shewed his kindness towards me. Comp. Jer.22. with the annot.] shall prevent me: [or meet, occur me, i.e. tenderly relieve me in due season.] God shall make me to look upon my spies. [or on them, viz. My hearts desire, or his vengeance. See Psalm 54.on verse 9. And 22.on verse 18.]

12. Put them not to death, that my people forget (it) not; (or least my people forget (it) [i.e. do not destroy them all at once, and suddenly, but proportion thy judgements to times and occasions, that both my self and people, (over whom thou hast anointed me King; or my country-men) beholding the variety if thy judgements from time to time, may have and keep them the better in remembrance, and be instructed by them.] make (or cause) them to wander about by thy power, [to be prostituted and made a public spectacle; [and cast them down, [or make, cause them to come down out of their high places and honours, that made them so presumptuous and daring still, to plot and practise all manner of mischief.] O LORD, our shield.

13. (For) the sin of their mouth, (for) the words of their lips; and let them be made captive in their haughtiness; and for the curse, and for the lies, (which) they recourses without any fear or remorse; see above verse 8. Others, they shall relate of the curse, and of the learnness. The whole verse renders the reason, why such a judgement of God should pass upon them, namely, because there comes nothing forth out of their mouth but sin, insulting, spightful speeches, cursing and belying David. Some do join and construe these words, which the word forget in the former verse in this manner; that my people do not forget how insolently, (or spitefully) they use to speak, and how it fares with them thereupon (to wit) that they are so taken therein, that one cannot sufficiently relate of their cursing and lying, (the cause of these heavy judgements upon them. Others, The sin of their mouths (is) the word of their lips, therefore let them etc. i.e. it is nothing but falsehood and lies, what ever they utter, therefore, etc.]

14. Consume them in fierce-wrath, consume them that they be not, [viz. By degrees, through various plagues; by comparing of v.12.above] and let them know, [i.e. take notice, find by experience] that God bears sway, (or hath dominion) in Jacob, among Gods people, the Israelites] (yea) and to the end of the earth. Sela!

15. Let them return then against the evening, let them keep a noise (or stir) like a dog, and go round about the city. [Here the Prophet repeats almost the same words, that are above, v.7. but in a deriding manner, out of an holy assured confidence, of Gods just recompence, which should light upon his enemies.]

16. Let them wander (or swerve) about themselves, [As above.v.12.] for meat: [Heb. For to eat] and let them pass the night although they be not satisfied. [See the contrary, Prov.19.23. Others, murmur, grumble, grudge, grin, howl, if they be not satisfied: being the Hebrew word is found to be used in both these significations.]

17. But I shall sing thy strength [In opposition to her strength of mine enemies, above v.10. and so in the verse. Following] and cheerfully praise thy kindness in the morning; for that thou hast been an high retrait to me; and a refuge in the day when I was in straight.

18. Of thee [Thus the Hebrew word or particle El, is sometimes taken; See Job 24.on v.7. and above Psal.2.on verse 7. Others my strength is by, (or with) thee; (therefore) shall I, etc.] O my strength, shall I sing Psalms: for God is my high retrait, the God of my kingness. [as above, v.11.]