Bible Commentaries
Psalms 59

Verse 4

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

Run — To and fro, to receive Saul’s commands, and to execute them with all speed.

Verse 5

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*/.

The God — A God in covenant with all true Israelites, whom thou hast promised to protect and bless.

The heathen — Or, these heathens, who though they are Israelites by birth; yet in their dispositions they are mere Heathens.

Be not — For indeed thou canst not according to thy word, be merciful to such incorrigible offenders.

Verse 6

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

Return — Watching for me: which they did at this time all the night long, 1 Samuel 19:11.

A dog — When he is pursuing his prey.

Go round — When they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other parts of the city.

Verse 7

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

Pour out — Sharp and bitter word’s, abundantly and vehemently, as a fountain doth waters, as this word signifies.

Swords — Words as keen and mischievous as swords.

For who — David doth not hear us, and God either doth not hear, or not regard what we say.

Verse 10

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

Prevent — Thou wilt help me sooner than I expect.

Verse 11

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

My people — Over whom thou hast appointed me to be governor in due time.

Forget — Their former danger, and thy glorious mercy in delivering them.

Scatter — Let them wander from place to place, that they may carry the tokens of thy justice, and their own shame to all places.

Verse 12

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.

Pride — For their proud and insolent speeches against thee.

Lying — For their execrations and lying reports, which they have spread concerning me.

Verse 13

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. /*Selah*/.

Not be — In the land of the living any more.