Psalm 59

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Deliver me from mine enemies. (1-2)

A. Defend me from them that rise up against me.

B. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity.

C. Save me from bloody men.

II. The enemy. (3-4)

A. Lies in wait for my soul.

B. Gathers against me--not for my transgression, nor for my sin.

C. Runs and prepares without my fault.

III. Awake, oh Lord. (4-5)

A. Behold and help me.

B. Visit all the heathen.

C. Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.

IV. A description of the enemy. (6-7,12, 14-15)

A. They make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

B. They belch out with their mouth:

1. Swords are in their lips.

2. “For who,” say they, “doth hear?”

C. They return to the city at evening like dogs.

D. They wander around, unsatisfied.

V. What God will do. (8)

A. Laugh at them.

B. Have them in derision.

VI. The psalmist waits on God. (9-10)

A. Because of His strength.

B. Because He is his defense.

C. Because as a God of mercy, He shall prevent him.

Prevent is an old English word that means “go before.”

D. Because He shall let him see his desire upon the enemy.

VII. What the psalmist requests. (11-15)

A. Don’t slay them--lest my people forget.

B. Do...

1. Scatter them by Thy power.

2. Bring them down.

3. Let them be taken in their pride:

a. For the sin of their mouth.

b. For the words of their lips.

c. For cursing and lying.

4. Consume them in wrath, that they may not be.

VIII. The purpose of his request: That they might know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. (15) IX. I will sing. (16-17)

A. Because of Your power.

B. Because of Your mercy.

C. Because You have been my defense.

D. Because You have been my refuge in the day of my trouble.

E. Because you have been my strength.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 59,4 cor יָגוֹדּוּ ou יָגוֹדוּ G --> S (ou err-graph) // יָגוּרוּ MT (ou err-graph) / incert: σ', Hebr, T

Ps 59,8(7) חֲרָבוֹת {A} MT, σ', Hebr // assim Is 49,2: G, S, T sing

Ps 59,10(9)A cor עֻזִּי G, Hebr, T // paraphr: S / assim-18: m עזי / err-graph: MT עֻזּוֹ {D}

Ps 59,10(9)B אֶשְׁמֹרָה {A} MT, G, Hebr, T // assim-18: S

Ps 59,10(9)C כִּי {A} MT, λοιπ, T // glos: G, S, Hebr

Ps 59,11(10)A cor אֱלֹהַי {C} G, anon, Hier, S // assim-18B: MT, T

Ps 59,11(10)B cor חַסְדּוֹ {B} MTK, G, anon, Hebr // assim-18C: MTQ, T / lic: S

Ps 59,18(17)A כִּי {A} MT, λοιπ, Hebr, T // glos: G, S

Ps 59,18(17)B אֱלֹהֵי {C} MT, Hebr, S, T // assim-11A: G

Ps 59,18(17)C חַסְדִּי {A} MT, G, Hebr, T // lic: S

Ps 59,12(11)A וְהוֹרִידֵמוֹ {B} MT, G, σ', Hebr // usu: S / paraphr: T

Ps 59,12(11)B מָגִנֵּנוּ {B} MT, σ', Hebr, T // assim-ctext: G, S clav: מגנני

Ps 59.15(14) {A}

Ps 59,16(15) וַיָּלִינוּ {A} MT, σ', S, T // exeg: G, α', Hebr