Psalms 59

Psalms 59:1

Title. Al-taschith, Michtam of David] Destroy not, a golden psalm of David, psal. 58. tit.

when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him] 1 Samuel 19:11.

DEliver me from mine enemies] Because his enemies were even at hand to destroy him, he prayeth God to deliver him.

enemies] See psal. 54. 51.

desend me from them that rise up against me] Heb. set ne on high. That is, set me where my foes cannot reach me.

Psalms 59:3

not for my transgression] For I am innocent to themwards, and have not offended them, psal. 7. 4. and 35. 7.

Psalms 59:4

awake to help me] God seems to sleep, when good men are oppressed, psal. 35. 23.

to help me] Heb. to meet me.

behold] Consider in what danger I am.

Psalms 59:5

awake to visite all the heathen] Saul and his watchmen, that carry themselves cruelly against me like heathen men: or, some heathen might be among them.

be not mercifull to any wicked transgressours] Seeing it appertaineth to God to punish the wicked, he desireth God to execute his vengeance on the malicious persecutours of his Church.

Psalms 59:6

They return at the evening] They go to hunt me out, like beagles.

they make a noise like a dog] Out of a desire to devour me, psal. 5. 9.

and go reund about the city] Watching me, that I may not escape.

Psalms 59:7

they belch out with their mouth] Speak often of murdering me.

swords are in their lips] Psalms 57:4.

who (say they) doth hear?] Psalms 10:11. and Psalms 73:11. and Psalms 94:7. Either to warn David, that he may escape: or, to punish us.

Psalms 59:8

But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them] Thou not onely seest, but wilt make their plots vain, that they may be derided.

laugh at them] Psalms 2:4.

Psalms 59:9

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee] Because Sauls power is great, therefore I will trust in thee, that art stronger.

my defence] Heb. my high place.

Psalms 59:10

The God of my mercy] Or, My mercifull God.

The God of my mercy shall prevent me] God will deliver me before I pray to him, or, before I expect deliverance.

see my desire upon mine enemies] Psalms 54:7.

mine enemies] Heb. mine observers.

Psalms 59:11

Slay them not] Altogether, but by little and little, that the people, seeing oftentimes their judgements, may be mindfull of thee.

scatter them by thy power] Make them vagabonds and base people.

Psalms 59:12

the sin of their mouth] Proverbs 12:13.

let them be taken even in their pride] That in their misery and shame they may be as glasses and examples of Gods vengeance.

Psalms 59:13

Consume them in wrath] When the time shall come, and when they have sufficiently served for an example of thy vengeance unto others.

let them know that God ruleth in Jacob] Not they that are consumed, but others far remote.

them] Or, men, psal. 83. 18.

Psalms 59:14

And at evening let them return] He mocks them, and sets down their punishment in the words their sin was set out by, v. 6. Before, they did run about for malice, now let them do it for hunger.

Psalms 59:15

for meat] Heb. to eat.

and grudge if they be not satisfied] Or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night.

Psalms 59:16

in the morning] In the time when they thought to have killed me, 1 Samuel 19:11.

Psalms 59:17

O my strength] Confessing himself to be void of all strength, he attributeth the whole to God.

the God of my mercy] See v. 10.