1.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
To the chief Musician. See App-64 .
Al-taschith = Destroy not. See App-65 .
Title. Michtam . See App-65 .
when, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 19:11 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Defend me = set me on high.
2.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .
men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh.
3.
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.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
transgression = rebellion. Hebrew. pasha'.
sin. Hebrew. chata'.
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
4.
They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
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.
LORD God of hosts = Jehovah Elohim Sabaoth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .
heathen = nations.
wicked. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .
transgressors = hypocrites. Hebrew. bagad.
Selah. Connecting the wicked transgressors with their true character as dogs of the Gentiles; and marking off and connecting the two prayers in verses: Psalms 59:1-5 , and verses: Psalms 59:11-13 . See App-66 .
6.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7.
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8.
But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
laugh. Compare Psalms 2:4 .
9.
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
Because of his strength: or, O my strength, as in Psalms 59:17 .
10.
The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
prevent = anticipate.
11.
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered "Jehovah" to "Adonai". App-32 .
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.
sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
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.
Selah. See note on Psalms 59:5 .
14.
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15.
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
wander = prowl about.
grudge: or, stay all night.
16.
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.
power = strength, as in Psalms 59:9 .
been = proved.
defence = high tower.
17.
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
sing = sing praise.
To the chief Musician. See App-64 .
upon = relating to.
Shushan-eduth. It is "testimony" relating to the second Passover provided for in Numbers 9:5-14 and acted on in 2 Chronicles, chapter 30. See App-65 .) The other of the two Psalms thus used is Psalms 79 .