Psalms 59 -- Old Testament -- Gospel Daily

Psalms

Chapter 59

Sing of God's Power Against Merciless Enemies

The psalmist appeals to God for deliverance from enemies gathered in might against him, though his transgression and sin are not the cause. He calls on God to awake and visit all heathen, not being merciful to wicked transgressors. The enemies return like dogs at evening, circling the city and belching out with their mouths. Yet the psalmist trusts in God's strength, knowing the God of his mercy shall let him see his desire upon his enemies. He asks God to scatter them by His power rather than slay them, lest the people forget God's works. The psalmist vows to sing of God's power and mercy in the morning, for God has been his defense and refuge in his day of trouble.

Deliverance from wicked enemiesGod's defense and refugeSinging God's power and mercyGod's judgment on the wicked

¹Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

²Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

³For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

⁴They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

⁵Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

⁶They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

⁷Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

⁸But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

⁹Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

¹⁰The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

¹¹Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

¹²For 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.

¹³Consume 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.

¹⁴And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

¹⁵Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

¹⁶But 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.

¹⁷Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.