Psalms 59:2 — Word Study
WLCהַ֭צִּילֵנִי מִפֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן וּֽמֵאַנְשֵׁ֥י דָ֝מִ֗ים הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃
BSADeliver menâtsal [rescue, snatch away]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַ֭צִּילֵנִי | deliver me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| מִפֹּ֣עֲלֵי | from [those who] do | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| אָ֑וֶן | wickedness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּֽמֵאַנְשֵׁ֥י | and from men of | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| דָ֝מִ֗ים | blood | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃ | save me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. |
| KJV | Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. |
| ASV | Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the bloodthirsty men. |
| YLT | Deliver me from workers of iniquity, And from men of blood save me. |
| WEB | Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men. |
| BBE | Take me out of the power of the workers of evil, and keep me safe from the men of blood. |
Where they part company is אָ֑וֶן — see How Translations Differ.
The structure is straightforward, with a main request followed by a conjunction linking a second plea for salvation.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 59:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Cry for Deliverancegenerated
Psalms 59:2 is part of a larger lament where the psalmist expresses distress over enemies who seek to harm him. The surrounding verses illustrate a desperate situation, emphasizing the need for divine intervention. The psalmist appeals to God for protection against those who engage in wrongdoing and violence, highlighting the urgency of his plea.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 26:9 | Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, |
| 2 | Psalm 27:2 | When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. |
| 3 | Psalm 55:23 | But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. |
| 4 | Psalm 139:19 | O God, that You would slay the wicked— away from me, you bloodthirsty men— |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַ֭צִּילֵנִי, Ha.tzi.le.nigenerated
The word הַ֭צִּילֵנִי (Ha.tzi.le.ni) is a verb in the hiphil imperative form, indicating a strong command or request for deliverance. It is derived from the root meaning to rescue or snatch away from danger. This word captures the essence of seeking immediate help from perilous circumstances.
In this context, the psalmist is not merely asking for a general form of help; he is specifically requesting to be rescued from the hands of those who commit evil. The urgency of the situation is reflected in the imperative mood, which conveys a deep reliance on God's ability to save.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs הַ֭צִּילֵנִי (deliver me) and הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי (save me) govern the structure of the verse, with two prepositional phrases describing the sources of danger. The psalmist's requests are clearly articulated, emphasizing the urgency of his situation.
The structure reveals a parallelism between the two requests, highlighting the psalmist's plea for deliverance from both wicked workers and violent individuals. This parallelism is a common poetic device in Hebrew literature, enhancing the emotional weight of the psalm.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew הַ֭צִּילֵנִי is rendered as με (me), indicating a direct plea for personal deliverance. This choice underscores the intimate nature of the psalmist's request for help.
The translation of אָ֑וֶן as μου (my) in the Septuagint suggests a personal connection to the concept of wickedness, emphasizing the psalmist's direct confrontation with evil.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 59:2 is a plea for help from God against those who do evil and shed blood. The psalmist asks to be rescued from wicked people and saved from violent individuals, expressing a deep need for divine protection.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To be delivered from workers of iniquity means to be rescued from those who commit evil deeds and seek to harm others.
The mention of men of bloodshed highlights the danger posed by violent individuals who are willing to take life, emphasizing the seriousness of the psalmist's plea.
This verse reflects a deep reliance on God for protection and deliverance, showing the psalmist's faith in God's ability to save him from danger.
Someone might cry out for deliverance in times of personal danger, facing injustice, or when surrounded by individuals who seek to harm them.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some modern-day examples of iniquity that I can recognize in my surroundings?
- How can I seek God's protection in my own life when faced with challenges or dangers?
- In what ways can I support others who are in need of deliverance from difficult situations?
- What does it mean to me to trust in God's ability to save and protect?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse in his exposition, highlighting the psalmist's plea for deliverance from evil and violence.
"Deliver me from men working iniquity, and from men of bloods, save Thou me" [Psalms 59:2].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 59 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 59:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleDeliver me from the workers of iniquity,.... [See comments on Psalms 6:8]; and save me from bloody men; such as Saul sent to kill David, as appears from the title of the psalm; and such as were
Read John Gill on Psalms 59 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryDeliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. And save me from bloody men - such as Saul, who seeks to shed my life-blood.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 59 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.Ver. 2. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity] Saul’ s assassins and bloodhounds, hired to despatch me.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 59 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. The workers of iniquity] Principally Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian; who were the chief enemies of the poor returned captives. Bloody men.] The above, who sought the destruction of the Israelites; and particularly, that of Nehemiah, whom four several times they endeavoured to bring into an ambush, that they might take away his life. See Ne 6:1-4.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 59 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. from bloody men] Better, from bloodthirsty men (Psalms 5:6; Psalms 55:23; Psalms 139:19; Proverbs 29:10).
Read Cambridge on Psalms 59 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleDeliver me from the workers of iniquity - The workers of iniquity here referred to were Saul and those whom he employed to carry out his murderous purpose - the people that had been sent to slay him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 59 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Workers of iniquity—Whom God abhors, Psalms 5:5
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 59 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
Deliver me from evildoers! Rescue me from violent men!
Tyndale line
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
Deliuer me from the wicked doers, and saue me from the bloody men.
Strictly literal
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from men of blood.
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, And from men of blood save me.
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, || And save me from men of blood.
(59:3) Deliver me from the workers of wickedness, and from men of blood do thou save me.
Keep me safe from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.
From the Latin
When he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal and Joab returned and slew of Edom, in the vale of the saltpits, twelve thousand men.
Simplified
Rescue me from these evil people! Save me from these murderers!
Take me out of the power of the workers of evil, and keep me safe from the men of blood.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Psalms 59:2 reads, "הַ֭צִּילֵנִי מִפֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן וּֽמֵאַנְשֵׁ֥י דָ֝מִ֗ים הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי," which translates to "Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed." The Septuagint (LXX) agrees with the MT in meaning, as it corresponds closely with five of the six words, although the specific word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a variant reading for this verse, thus confirming the MT's wording in this instance.
הַ֭צִּילֵנִי מִפֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן וּֽמֵאַנְשֵׁ֥י דָ֝מִ֗ים הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 59:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is built from a primitive root meaning to snatch away, with various usages across different stems. It covers a range of meanings including to rescue, deliver, plunder, and strip. The word appears in contexts of delivering oneself or being delivered, as well as rescuing from enemies or sin.
[נָצַל] 212 vb. not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
Niph.
reflex. tear oneself away, deliver oneself
passive, be torn out or away
Pi.
strip off, spoil
deliver
Hiph.
take away, snatch away
rescue, recover
deliver from
deliver from sin and guilt
Hoph. as a brand plucked out of the burning
Hithp. and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.
base
H5337 נָצַל not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
5337 natsal naw-tsal'
a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad
sense:- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without
fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save,
spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).
נָצַל (na.tsal) — to rescue.
1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
1a)(Niphal)
1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to strip off, spoil
1b2) to deliver
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to take away, snatch away
1c2) to rescue, recover
1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)
1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt
1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out
1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs
פָּעַל (pa'al) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, often used in a systematic or habitual sense. It encompasses actions like committing, ordaining, and working, with a poetic nuance compared to the more common verb for 'to do' (עָשָׂה). The entries consistently highlight its usage in the Qal stem, emphasizing its foundational role in expressing action.
פָּעַל 67 vb. do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)
Qal
do
make
base
H6466 פָּעַל do, make (poet. for עָשָׂה)
6466 pa`al paw-al'
a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and
habitually), especially to practise:--commit, (evil-)
do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).
פָּעַל (pa.al) — to work.
1) to do, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do
1a2) to make
HR/Vqrmpc — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHR/Vqrmpc
אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness
trouble, sorrow
idolatry
trouble of iniquity, wickedness
base
H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness
205 'aven aw-ven'
from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,
to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);
strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;
specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,
iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,
unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.
see HEBREW for 0369
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
wik'-ed-nes:
1. In the Old Testament:
The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…
אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.
אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.
of individ.
coll. men
man, mankind
base
H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.
582 'enowsh en-oshe'
from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the
more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or
collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,
chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,
husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some
( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often
unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in
apposition with another word . Compare 376.
see HEBREW for 0605
see HEBREW for 0120
see HEBREW for 0376
אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.
1) man, mortal man, person, mankind
1a) of an individual
1b) men (collective)
1c) man, mankind
Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)
HC/R/Ncmpc — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHC/R/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.
דָּם 300 n.m. blood
blood of man or animal
usually blood become visible
blood used with religious significance
fig. of wine
base
H1818 דָּם blood
1818 dam dawm
from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed
causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of
the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed
(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +
innocent.
see HEBREW for 01826
see HEBREW for 0119
דָּם (dam) — blood.
1) blood
1a) of wine (fig.)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
blud (dam, probably from 'adham "to be red"; haima): Used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in either animal or vegetable, as the blood of man or the juice of the grape (Le 17:11, et al.); in the New Testament for the blood of an animal, the atoning blood of Christ, and in both Old Testament and New Testament in a figurative sense for bloodshed or murder (Ge 37:26; Ho 4:2; Re 16:6).
1. Primitive Ideas:
Although the real function of the blood in the human system was not fully known until the fact of its circulation was established by William Harvey in 1615, nevertheless from the earliest times a singular mystery has been attached to it by all peoples. Blood…
Blood
(1.) As food, prohibited in Gen. 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. Deut. 12:23; Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 14:32-34).
(2.) The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the…
To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; 17:11-13)
The life of all animals was regarded as especially in the blood, which was a sacred and essential part of the sacrifices offered to God, Heb 9:22. It was solemnly sprinkled upon the altar and the mercy seat, "for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul," Le 17:1-16 the life of the victim for the life of the sinner. It was therefore most sacredly associated with the blood of the Lamb of God which "cleanseth us from all sin," Eph 1:7 1Jo 1:7. Hence the strict prohibition renewed in Ac 15:29. In direct opposition to this are the heathen customs of drinking the blood of animals and even of men- of eating raw flesh, with the blood, and even fresh cut from the living…
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
HVhv2ms/Sp1bs — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs