Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 59. This is another individual lament, seeking God's protection from enemies who threaten the pious person's life. The title connects the psalm to 1 Sam. 19:11, where David escaped from Saul's men through a window. The psalm is geared for the particular case in which the enmity is "for no fault of mine" (v. 4). The song has two sections (vv. 1-10, 11-17). Verses 6-7 (description of howling dogs) correspond to vv. 14-15; and vv. 9-10 ("O my strength . . . steadfast love") correspond to v. 17. The first section is a cry for help in the face of fierce and bloodthirsty enemies, and the second section voices confidence that God will protect the singer and make an example of the persecutors.

59:1-10 Deliver Me from My Enemies, O God. The enemies are described as those who work evil and bloodthirsty men who lie in wait for my life (vv. 2-3). They are fierce men, they stir up strife against me--and for no fault of mine (v. 4). That is, this psalm is for situations in which the pious may profess innocence; they face hostility even though they have done no injury to the enemies. The enemies are howling like dogs, prowling about the city (v. 6) like a pack of scavengers. (Although dogs were apparently used in Israel as watchdogs [Isa. 56:10] and as herd dogs [Job 30:1], in a city the dogs roamed as semi-wild packs, feeding on carrion, trash, and anything they could kill [cf. Ps. 22:16]. Thus they posed a danger to any human who might venture out alone in the evening.) But the faithful should not despair at such threats: God is greater than the enemies and is well able to thwart their schemes (59:8-10).