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Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Psalms 59

Psalms 59:1-17

Title.—(RV) 'For the Chief Musician; _set_ to Al-tashheth. _A Psalm_ of David: Michtam: when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.' For the first part of the title see on Psalms 57. The second part, which alludes to 1 Samuel 19:11, scarcely explains the contents of the Ps., which has fo... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:3

NOT _for_ MY TRANSGRESSION] This might express the Psalmist's conscious innocence before God, but more probably it means that he had done nothing to provoke the hostility of his enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:6

The writer's foes are compared to the savage dogs which infest Eastern cities and prowl round at night in search of garbage. Possibly there is a hint here that Jerusalem was actually besieged. MAKE A NOISE] 'snarl.'... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:7

SWORDS _are_ IN THEIR LIPS] Their speech is cutting and injurious. WHO, _say they_, DOTH hear?] They question whether there is a God.... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:11

SLAY THEM NOT] must be understood in the light of Psalms 59:13. The prayer is that they may not be suddenly cut off, but may be allowed to perish gradually in their sin, in order that Israel may have a more memorable object-lesson in the righteousness of God.... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:13

LET THEM KNOW, etc.] Read, 'Let them know unto the ends of the earth that God ruleth in Jacob.' Zeal for God's glory is the one motive of the Psalmist's prayer, however vindictive some of his requests may appear.... [ Continue Reading ]

Psalms 59:14

Almost a repetition of Psalms 59:6. It may mean that the contemptible attitude of the heathen described in Psalms 59:6 is all that is to be left them.... [ Continue Reading ]

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