Psalms 59:6
Psalms 59:6 in Multiple Translations
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.
They come back in the evening; they make a noise like a dog, and go round the town.
In the evening they return, snarling like dogs as they roam around the city.
They goe to and from in the euening: they barke like dogs, and goe about the citie.
They turn back at evening, They make a noise like a dog, And go round about the city.
They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
Thou hast given a warning to them that fear thee: that they may flee from before the bow: That thy beloved may be delivered.
They return each evening, snarling like vicious dogs [SIM] as they prowl around this city.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 59:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 59:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַתָּ֤ה
יְהוָֽה
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
צְבָא֡וֹת
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
הָקִ֗יצָ/ה
לִ/פְקֹ֥ד
כָּֽל
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
אַל
תָּחֹ֨ן
כָּל
בֹּ֖גְדֵי
אָ֣וֶן
סֶֽלָה
וְ/אַתָּ֤ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
צְבָא֡וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cp
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
הָקִ֗יצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
to awake
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
לִ/פְקֹ֥ד
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
Art | N-mp
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תָּחֹ֨ן
chânan
H2603
be gracious
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בֹּ֖גְדֵי
bâgad
H898
to act treacherously
V-Qal
אָ֣וֶן
ʼâven
H205
evil
N-ms
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
Selah
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 59:6
וְ/אַתָּ֤ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
צְבָא֡וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הָקִ֗יצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
"to awake"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means to wake up or be awake, like when God told Samuel to arise and anoint a new king in 1 Samuel 16:3. It can also mean to be watchful, as in Psalm 102:7.
Definition: 1) to awake, wake up 1a) (Hiphil) to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, awake
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch. See also: 1 Samuel 26:12; Proverbs 23:35; Psalms 3:6.
לִ/פְקֹ֥ד
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תָּחֹ֨ן
chânan
H2603
"be gracious"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
This Hebrew word means to show kindness or favor, often by bending or stooping to help someone in need, as seen in the actions of God towards his people.
Definition: 1) to be gracious, show favour, pity 1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious 1b) (Niphal) to be pitied 1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious 1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on 1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration 1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 33:5; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 4:2.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בֹּ֖גְדֵי
bâgad
H898
"to act treacherously"
V-Qal
To act treacherously means to be deceitful or unfaithful, as seen in Job 31:27-28, where Job denies acting treacherously. It involves covering or hiding one's true intentions, often to pillage or offend others.
Definition: 1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously 1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 21:8; Isaiah 24:16; Psalms 25:3.
אָ֣וֶן
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
N-ms
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
"Selah"
Part
Selah is a musical term in the Bible that signals a pause or interruption in the music, like a rest in a song, often used in Psalms. It is a technical term that sets a moment for reflection and contemplation, as seen in Psalm 3:2.
Definition: § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: Selah. See also: Psalms 3:3; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 3:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 59:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 59:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 59:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 59:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 59:6
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 59:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
- Sermons on Psalms 59:6
Context — Deliver Me from My Enemies
4For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.
5O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah
6They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
7See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” 8But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 59:14 | They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. |
| 2 | Psalms 22:16 | For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 19:11 | Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” |
Psalms 59:6 Summary
This verse, Psalms 59:6, describes the wicked as fierce and dangerous, like dogs that are ready to attack. They are sneaky and try to do harm when no one is looking, like at night. As believers, we need to be aware of the dangers that the wicked pose and trust in God's protection, just like the psalmist does in this chapter (Psalms 59:4-5). By remembering that God is our defender and judge, we can have confidence and peace, even in the face of evil (Psalms 23:4, Romans 8:31).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the wicked to 'snarl like dogs' in Psalms 59:6?
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the wicked as fierce and dangerous, much like dogs that are ready to attack, as seen in other scriptures like Matthew 7:6 where dogs are used to describe those who reject the gospel.
Why do the wicked 'prowl around the city' in the evening?
The evening represents a time of darkness and secrecy, and the wicked are seeking to do harm under the cover of night, much like the thief in the night mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4.
Is this verse talking about literal dogs or using them as a symbol?
The dogs in Psalms 59:6 are used symbolically to describe the wicked, emphasizing their vicious nature and the danger they pose to the righteous, similar to the way dogs are used in Revelation 22:15 to symbolize those who are outside of God's kingdom.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Psalms 59:6 is part of a larger prayer for protection and judgment, with the psalmist asking God to defend him against his enemies and punish the wicked, as seen in the surrounding verses like Psalms 59:4-5 and Psalms 59:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that the wicked 'snarl' and 'prowl' in our world today, and how can we as believers respond to them?
- How does the image of the wicked as 'dogs' challenge or change my understanding of the nature of evil and the dangers that believers face?
- In what ways can I be more aware of the 'evening' or dark times in my life when the wicked may be seeking to attack, and how can I prepare myself for those times?
- What does this verse teach me about the character of God and His relationship to the wicked, and how can I apply that to my own life and prayers?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 59:6
They return at evening,.... It was at evening Saul sent messengers to watch David's house, that they might take him in the morning; but missing him, perhaps after a fruitless search for him all the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 59:6
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Here hopeful anticipation succeeds to prayer.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
They return at evening, after they have been busy all day, either in plotting against me, or in hunting after me. In the evening, when they should compose themselves to rest, they return to their old trade of watching for me which they did at this time all the night long, . They make a noise like a dog; either when he is hungry and pursuing his prey, and howls for meat; or when he is enraged, and grins and snarls where he cannot or dare not bite. And go round about the city: when they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other houses and parts of the city, where they supposed him to lurk.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
Psalms 59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.Ver. 6. They return at evening] sc. To mine house at Gibeah of Saul, hoping to find me then at home again; as if, like the hunted hare, I must needs return to my old form. They make a noise like a dog] When coming the second night also they missed of David they barked and howled like mad dogs, ready to take every one they met by the throat. And go round about the city] Ferreting and searching after him in all places, and perhaps surrounding the city to surprise him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
(6) A dog.—This comparison to the gaunt half-starved wild dogs of an Eastern town has met us before (Psalms 22:16). The verbs should be rendered as futures here and in Psalms 59:15. Make a noise.—Better, howl. (See Note Psalms 55:7.) An English traveller has described the noise made by the dogs of Constantinople: “The noise I heard then I shall never forget. The whole city rang with one vast riot. Down below me at Tophane; over about Stamboul; far away at Scutari; the whole 60,000 dogs that are said to overrun Constantinople appeared engaged in the most active extermination of each other without a moment’s cessation. The yelping, howling, barking, growling, and snarling were all merged into one uniform and continuous even sound” (Albert Smith, A Month at Constantinople, quoted from Spurgeon’s Treasury of David).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
Verse 6. They return at evening] When the beasts of prey leave their dens, and go prowling about the cities and villages to get offal, and entrap domestic animals, these come about the city to see if they may get an entrance, destroy the work, and those engaged in it.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 59:6
6–9. Be his enemies never so threatening and insolent, he can trust in God.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 59:6
They return at evening - Many have rendered this in the imperative, as in Psalms 59:14, “Let them return at evening,” etc. So Luther renders it, and so also DeWette.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 59:6
6. They return at evening—The poetical account, which here gives a deeper insight than the narrative in 1 Samuel 19:11-16, speaks of a succession of nights.
Sermons on Psalms 59:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Behold the Lamb by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the testimony of Jesus and his experience on the cross. Jesus expresses his feelings of abandonment by God and questions why he has been for |
|
Israel on the Road to Calvary by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the coming together of the remnant of Israel and the remnant of the church in the last days. He highlights the stages set for Israel's collaps |
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Psalms - Part 1 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of filling one's heart with the Word of God rather than simply avoiding evil. He references the story of a demon being cast ou |
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The Tomb of Jesus by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript discusses the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the significance it holds for Christians. It emphasizes that Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave, bri |
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Tokens of His Compassion - Part 7 by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on the deep love of Jesus, contrasting it with the harsh language towards those who misrepresented God. It emphasizes the unique love Jesus had for sinners and |
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The Three Prayers (Part 5) by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the focus is on Jesus' words and actions during his crucifixion. The speaker highlights how Jesus' attention was on others, even in his own suffering. Jesus asks Go |
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Son of God or Son of Man by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, drawing from prophecies in the Old Testament that were precisely fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrect |