Bible Commentary

Psalms 59:1-7

Matthew Henry on Psalms 59:1-7

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, affliction, and persecution.

And thus earnestly should we pray daily, to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts. We should fear suffering as evil-doers, but not be ashamed of the hatred of workers of iniquity.

It is not strange, if those regard not what they themselves say, who have made themselves believe that God regards not what they say. And where there is no fear of God, there is nothing to secure proper regard to man.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:1-17EXPOSITION LIKE, Psalms 56:1-13 and Psalms 57:1-11, this is a cry for deliverance out of great peril, with a final expression of confidence (verses 16, 17) that the deliverance will be granted. From the psalm itself the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:1-17Waiting upon God. There are expressions in this psalm which sound harsh and cruel, and which Christians would shrink from using. But, on the other hand, there is much here that comes home to our experience, and that is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:1Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God. This is David's almost constant cry (see Psalms 7:1; Psalms 17:13; Psalms 22:20; Psalms 25:20; Psalms 31:1, Psalms 31:2, Psalms 31:15; Psalms 35:17; Psalms 40:13; Psalms 43:1; Psa…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. Foreign enemies are never reproached with being "bloody men," since war is their trade, and it is their business to wound and slay.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul. The emissaries of Saul were sent to David's house "to watch him, and to slay him in the morning" (1 Samuel 19:11). This seems to be the "lying in wait" intended. Warned by his wife…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:4They run and prepare themselves without my fault; or, "establish themselves"—"take up their position" (so Hengstenberg, Kay, and Professor Cheyne). Awake to help me (see the comment on Psalms 44:23). And behold; i.e. "s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:5Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel (comp. Psalms 69:6, also "a psalm of David"). Awake to visit all the heathen. "All" is emphatic, and means not only those without the covenant, but also those withi…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 59:6They return at evening. Having traced David to his house, they disperse for a time, but "return" again at evening, and take up their watch (1 Samuel 19:11). They make a noise like a dog; i.e. snarl and growl, quarrellin…Joseph S. Exell and contributors