Psa 59 | MHM | STEP | David’s Prayer for Deliverance from Saul’s Guards This psalm was written when Saul sent his men to watch David’s house at night, planning to arrest and kill him (1 Samuel 19:11 ). It was a time of sudden danger and fear for David, but he did not let his worries stop him from praying and praising God. Even in times of trouble, David kept his connection with God strong. This teaches us that we should always turn to God, no matter how hard life becomes. v. 1 : David prays for God to rescue him from his enemies. He says, Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me . He knows God is powerful and can protect him. David wants to be lifted above the reach of those who want to harm him, so he can be safe and at peace.

‏ Psalms 59

David’s Prayer for Deliverance from Saul’s Guards

This psalm was written when Saul sent his men to watch David’s house at night, planning to arrest and kill him (1 Samuel 19:11 ^a). It was a time of sudden danger and fear for David, but he did not let his worries stop him from praying and praising God. Even in times of trouble, David kept his connection with God strong. This teaches us that we should always turn to God, no matter how hard life becomes.

v. 1: David prays for God to rescue him from his enemies. He says, Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me . He knows God is powerful and can protect him. David wants to be lifted above the reach of those who want to harm him, so he can be safe and at peace.

v. 2: He continues to ask God, Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men . David calls his enemies “workers of iniquity” and “bloody men,” meaning they are evil and violent. He asks God not just to save him, but also to stop their wicked plans.

v. 3: David explains his situation. He says, For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord . David’s enemies are powerful and have come together to attack him, even though he has done nothing wrong. He is innocent, and God knows it.

v. 4: David says, They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold . His enemies are working hard to hurt him, even though he has not done anything to deserve it. David asks God to pay attention to his trouble and help him, just like the disciples asked Jesus for help during the storm (Matthew 8:25 ^b).

v. 5: David puts his case in God’s hands, saying, Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah . He calls God the “Lord of hosts” (the one who commands all armies) and “God of Israel” (the special protector of His people). David asks God to judge everyone who does evil and not to show mercy to those who are stubborn in their sins (Isaiah 10:3 ^c).

v. 6: David describes his enemies’ actions. He says, They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city . Saul’s men come back at night, making loud noises and searching for David everywhere. They try to stir up trouble and turn people against David, just like people did against Jesus (Psalm 22:16 ^d).

v. 7: He says, Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? . His enemies speak cruel words and spread false accusations, thinking no one, not even God, is listening (Psalm 10:11; Psalm 94:7 ^e). Their slander is like a sword that tries to cut down David’s reputation (Psalm 42:10 ^f).

Confidence in God

In this section, David encourages himself to trust God, even though his enemies are strong and threatening. He decides to wait for God’s help and believes that he will have reasons to praise God in the end. David’s faith gives him hope and patience, even in danger.

v. 8: David says that while his enemies act as if God does not see them, God actually laughs at their foolishness. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision . God is not worried by their plans. He is in control and will show that their pride is foolish (Psalm 2:4; Proverbs 1:26 ^g).

v. 9: David decides to wait for God’s help. He says, Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence . Whether he is thinking of his enemies’ strength or God’s strength, David knows that God is his safe place. In times of trouble, it is wise to trust God and wait for His help.

v. 10: David is sure that God will show him mercy. He says, The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies . David believes God will bless him, even before he asks. God’s mercy is personal—He is the God of “my” mercy. David trusts that God will deal with his enemies and protect him.

v. 11: David asks God not to destroy his enemies quickly, but to scatter them so people will remember God’s judgment. Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield . If God’s judgment is slow and clear, people will see and remember that God rules and protects His people.

v. 12: David prays that his enemies will be punished for their words. For 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 . Their pride, cursing, and lies are serious sins, and David asks God to let their own words bring them down (1 Samuel 14:28 ^h).

v. 13: David asks God to keep judging his enemies until everyone knows that God rules over Israel and the whole world. Consume 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 . God’s judgments show that He is King everywhere, not just in Israel (Isaiah 45:4 ⁱ).

v. 14: David says that his enemies will return at evening, making noise like hungry dogs and going around the city . This is a punishment that matches their sin—they hunted David, now they will wander in need, just as they once searched for him (Psalm 59:6 ^j).

v. 15: He adds that they will wander for food but will not be satisfied. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied . They will beg from door to door, but people will not help them. Their hunger and disappointment will be part of their punishment (Isaiah 56:11 ^k).

v. 16: David promises to sing about God’s power and mercy. But 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 . He wants to praise God for protecting him and giving him hope, especially at the start of each new day.

v. 17: He ends by saying, Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy (Psalm 59:17 ^l). David will sing to God because God is his strength, his protector, and the source of all mercy. David’s trust in God leads him to praise, even before his troubles are over.