BOOK 19 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Psalms 59

Psalms book home•Chapter 59 of 150•17 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

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Psalms 59 Overview

David asks deliverance from bloodthirsty enemies, describes them returning like snarling dogs, trusts God as defense, and promises morning praise of His mercy.

PsalmsBook

59Chapter

17Verses

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Before you read Psalms 59

Coming from

Psalm 58 centered on a plea for god to judge corrupt rulers. Psalms is an anthology rather than a continuous chronological story, so the connection here is canonical and thematic.

In this chapter

David asks deliverance from bloodthirsty enemies, describes them returning like snarling dogs, trusts God as defense, and promises morning praise of His mercy.

Leads into

Psalm 60 turns to prayer after military setback, continuing the Psalter’s arranged movement without requiring that the two psalms describe consecutive historical events.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Psalm 59 belongs to Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 42–72). The heading connects the psalm to Saul sending men to watch David's house in 1 Samuel 19.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Protection from men watching David's house.

Lament truth

In Psalm 59, biblical faith brings grief, fear, confusion, and need directly to God rather than hiding them.

Trust truth

In Psalm 59, confidence in God rests on His character and rule, not on the absence of danger.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Lament connection

Hebrews 4:15-16 invites believers to come boldly for mercy and grace in need. This connection helps frame Psalm 59.

Trust connection

Isaiah 26:3-4 likewise grounds steadfast peace in trusting the everlasting LORD. This connection helps frame Psalm 59.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep lament in context

Do not mistake every anguished sentence in Psalm 59 for the psalmist’s settled theological conclusion; lament often voices how the crisis feels before faith answers it.

Keep trust in context

Trust in Psalm 59 is not a promise of immunity from suffering or death; it is confidence in God through the danger.

Read Psalms 59 watching for…

deliver from enemies.

watchers without fault.

dogs at evening.

God my defense.

sing mercy in morning.

Chapter outline2 sections

1-7David asks deliverance from violent enemies who watch for him 8-17God laughs at the nations, preserves David, and becomes his defense and song

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

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.

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

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.

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

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

But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

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

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

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.

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.

And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

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.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.