Psalms 59

Psalms 59:1-17

“ God Is My High Tower” Psalms 59:1-17 This is the fifth of the Michtams, or “ Golden Psalms.” Compare Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 56:1-13; Psalms 57:1-11; Psalms 58:1-11. The contents correspond to the title and to 1 Samuel 19:11. The most noticeable feature is the twice-repeated refrain of Psa 59:9; Psalms 17:1-15. In each case David appeals to God as my strength, and describes Him as my high tower and the God of my mercy. The possessive pronoun my is very remarkable. Each of us needs mercy of a very special sort. My mercy would not help you, nor would yours help me. Note also that God’ s mercy prevents, that is, “ goes in front,” Psalms 59:10. As the mother’ s thought prepares beforehand for the child, so God thinks ahead for us, and leads us into the good things which He has prepared for them that love Him, 1 Corinthians 2:9; Psalms 31:19. In the first refrain David says, “ I will wait for thee;” in the second, “ I will sing praises.” Waiting on God leads to singing. All night Saul’ s emissaries might prowl around David’ s home, like the wild dogs of an Eastern city. But within he was singing aloud of God’ s mercy, and when the morning broke he was in safety.

Deliver me, O God! The fifth of the Golden Psalms. Compare the title with those of Psa 16:1-11; Psalms 56:1-13; Psalms 58:1-11. Delitzsch says, “We believe that it is most advisable to adhere to the title.” The contents of this Psalm correspond to the title and carry us naturally to 1 Samuel 19:11.

It consists of four parts, of which the first and third are very similar. The second and fourth parts also resemble each other. Compare Psalms 59:1-5 with Psalms 59:11-13 : also Psalms 59:6-10 with Psalms 59:14-17.

Psalms 59:1-2. Deliver! Defend! Deliver! Save! Four times the persecuted man cries for help. He speaks of his enemies as workers of iniquity, men of blood, plot weavers, and insolent in their might. How often must similar cries have been wrung from the Waldenses, the Huguenots and the Covenanters!

Psalms 59:3. Transgression rather refers to the treason with which David was charged against the king, sin as towards God. We should habitually exercise ourselves to have consciences void of offence towards God and men (Acts 24:16).

Psalms 59:4. They run and prepare themselves They made haste to manifest their enmity. Yet their hatred was “without a cause” (Psalms 7:4; Psalms 35:7; Psalms 35:19; Psalms 109:3; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:161).

Psalms 59:5. Lord God of hosts, God of Israel Dwell on these names for God: Jehovah, the unchanging; Elchim Sabaoth, the God of hosts, indicating the resources at his command; Elohe Israel, the God of Israel, in his covenant relations. Each is a new plea, which God cannot resist (see also Jeremiah 35:17; Jeremiah 38:17).

Psalms 59:6-7. Like a dog The Eastern dog is a wretched animal, prowling through the streets to feed on offal and filling the night air with howlings when its search for food has been in vain. Thus for several successive nights David’s foes may have gathered round his house, whispering, or pouring forth their hatred in muttered tones. Silence has settled on the houses all around, the inmates are wrapt in slumber: Who doth hear?

Psalms 59:8. Thou, O Lord, shalt laugh What a bold image! God looks down through the dark and laughs at them in scorn (Psalms 2:4).

Psalms 59:9.O my Strength, I will wait upon Thee is the beautiful reading of the Revised Version.

Psalms 59:10. The God of my mercy It might be read, “My God shall go before me with His mercy.” Here is God’s prevenient grace. He goes before the sheep which He puts forth. He marches in front to make the crooked straight and the rough smooth (John 10:4).

Psalms 59:11-13. God ruleth unto the ends of the earth These imprecations arise from fear lest his people should be hardened in sin.

Psalms 59:16-17. I will sing in the morning There is also here an amplification of David’s former resolve (Psalms 59:9). The morning is ever breaking on the godly, succeeding the night of anxiety and peril. Let it summon us to loud songs of praise!