> [[psalm-58|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-60|Next →]] --- # Psalm 59 ## Complaint Against Bloodthirsty Enemies 1 For the director. Do not destroy. A *miktam* of David, when Saul sent people to watch his house and kill him. ^psalm-59-1 ### I 2 Rescue me from my enemies, my God; ^psalm-59-2 lift me out of reach of my foes. 3 Deliver me from evildoers; ^psalm-59-3 from the bloodthirsty save me. 4 They have set an ambush for my life; ^psalm-59-4 the powerful conspire against me. For no offense or misdeed of mine, LORD, 5 for no fault they hurry to take up arms. ^psalm-59-5 Come near and see my plight! 6 You, LORD God of hosts, are the God of Israel! ^psalm-59-6 Awake! Punish all the nations. Have no mercy on these worthless traitors. *Selah* 7 Each evening they return, ^psalm-59-7 growling like dogs, prowling the city. 8 Their mouths pour out insult; ^psalm-59-8 sharp words are on their lips. They say: “Who is there to hear?” 9 But you, LORD, laugh at them; ^psalm-59-9 you deride all the nations. 10 My strength, for you I watch; ^psalm-59-10 you, God, are my fortress, 11 my loving God. ^psalm-59-11 ### II May God go before me, and show me my fallen foes. 12 Slay them not, God, ^psalm-59-12 lest they deceive my people. Shake them by your power; Lord, our shield, bring them down. 13 For the sinful words of their mouths and lips ^psalm-59-13 let them be caught in their pride. For the lies they have told under oath 14 destroy them in anger, ^psalm-59-14 destroy till they are no more. Then people will know God rules over Jacob, yes, even to the ends of the earth. *Selah* 15 Each evening they return, ^psalm-59-15 growling like dogs, prowling the city. 16 They roam about as scavengers; ^psalm-59-16 if they are not filled, they howl. ### III 17 But I shall sing of your strength, ^psalm-59-17 extol your mercy at dawn, For you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. 18 My strength, your praise I will sing; ^psalm-59-18 you, God, are my fortress, my loving God. \* (Psalm 59) A lament in two parts ([Ps 59:2] – [9], [11b] – [17]), each ending in a refrain ([Ps 59:10], [18]). Both parts alternate prayer for vindication ([Ps 59:2] – [3], [4b] – [5], [11b] – [14]) with vivid depictions of the psalmist’s enemies ([Ps 59:4] – [5a], [7] – [8], [15] – [16]). The near curse in [Ps 59:12] – [13] is not a crude desire for revenge but a wish that God’s just rule over human affairs be recognized now. \* (59:1) Do not destroy: probably the title of the melody to which the Psalm was to be sung. \* (59:8) Who is there to hear?: a sample of the enemies’ godless reflection. The answer is that God hears their blasphemies. a. (59:1) [1 Sm 19:11]. b. (59:7) [Ps 55:11]. c. (59:9) ([[psalm-02|Ps 2]]:4]; [37:13]; ([[wisdom-04|Wis 4]]:18]. d. (59:13) [Prv 12:13]; [18:7]. e. (59:14) [Ps 83:18] – [19]; ([[ezekiel-05|Ez 5]]:13]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-58|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-60|Next →]]