This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Psalms

Psalms

Prayer asking to be delivered from the enemies

Psalm 59

For the Music Director. To the melody of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men, and they watched the house to kill him.

Read or listen.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; give me refuge from those who rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty people.

3 For they lie in wait for my life; the mighty are gathered against me, not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.

4 For no guilt of mine, they run and prepare themselves. Arise to help me, and take notice.

5 You, O Lord God of Hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; do not be gracious to any wicked transgressors. Selah

6 They return at evening, they growl like a dog, and go around the city.

7  Indeed, they burst out with their mouth; swords are in their lips; for who listens?

8 But You, O Lord, will laugh at them; You will have all the nations in derision.

9 O my strength, I will wait on You; for God is my refuge.

10 The God of lovingkindness will go before me; God will cause me to look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, may they be snared by their pride, and because of curses and lies that they speak.

13 Consume them in wrath, consume them so they no longer exist; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 At evening they return, and growl like a dog, and go around the city.

15  They roam about to eat, and if they are not satisfied, they complain.

16 But I will sing of Your power; I will sing aloud of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and escape in the day of my trouble.

17 To You, O my strength, I will sing, for God is my refuge, and the God of my lovingkindness.

 

The title inscription places this Psalm at the time when Saul who was king at the time, had commanded his men to guard David’s house for the purpose of killing him. The historical account is found in 1 Samuel 19:8-11. Saul became father in law of David after this defeated Goliath, since Saul promised the man who killed the giant great riches, to give him his daughter (Michal), and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.
As king of Israel Saul was a very powerful enemy, and he was very angry & resented David after he killed Goliath, because the people loved him & women danced & sang to him “Saul has slain his thousands And David his ten thousands.” (1 Sam.18:7-8).
It seems the men sent to watch David’s house and kill him, were very determined to do so, vs. 6 &14, they are also compared to dogs rushing to attack their victims. Such are the evil forces. The attacks on God’s servants come because the enemy is angry and is really fighting against God.

After crying for God’s help David then brings to memory what God have done for him ‘You have been my refuge and escape in the day of my trouble‘ vs.16 & he praises God because many times before he has found his refuge in Him in the day of anguish, David concludes with an expression of faith & confidence in God’s deliverance. And again God helped him & delivered him from his enemies.

Always remember that God does not forsake His own. We not only find that promise in the Old Testament (Deut.31:6 & 8, Joshua 1:5) but also  in the New Testament Hebrews 13:5-6. 

 

The whole Bible teaches that God intervenes in human history, intervenes in the affairs of every person who cries out to him. This is the motivation of prayer; it is the faith of the psalmist. And as David did, let us be wise & go to God in times of danger & difficulty, and wait on Him for He is our defense, but let us not forget to also PRAISE HIM for His deliverance & for His love for us.

 

 

 

Series Navigation<< Psalm 50: God will come soon & will not keep silentPsalm 91 >>