3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, Not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
They conspire and lurk, Watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.
Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.
Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David.
He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.
The kings of the earth take a stand, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Yahweh, and against his anointed,{The word "anointed" is the same as the word for "Messiah" or "Christ"} saying,
Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, If there is iniquity in my hands, If I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (Yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. Selah. Arise, Yahweh, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment.
The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to kill him. Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.
They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all day long.
The godly man has perished out of the earth, And there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net.
But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'
The kings of the earth take a stand, And the rulers take council together, Against the Lord, and against his Christ{Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed One. (Compare Psalm 2)}.' For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 59
Commentary on Psalms 59 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 59
Ps 59:1-17. See on Ps 57:1, title, and for history, 1Sa 19:11, &c. The scope is very similar to that of the fifty-seventh: prayer in view of malicious and violent foes, and joy in prospect of relief.
1. defend me—(Compare Margin).
rise up … me—(Compare Ps 17:7).
2. (Compare Ps 5:5; 6:8).
4, 5. prepare, &c.—literally, "set themselves as in array."
awake—(Compare Ps 3:7; 7:6), appeals to God in His covenant relation to His people (Ps 9:18).
6, 7. They are as ravening dogs seeking prey, and as such,
belch out—that is, slanders, their impudent barkings.
7. for who, say they—For the full expression with the supplied words, compare Ps 64:5.
8. (Compare Ps 2:4; 37:13).
9. By judicious expositors, and on good grounds, this is better rendered, "O my strength, on Thee will I wait" (Ps 59:17).
defence—(Compare Ps 18:3).
10. prevent me—(Ps 21:3).
see my desire—in their overthrow (Ps 54:7).
enemies—as in Ps 5:8.
11. Slay them not—at once (Jud 2:21-23); but perpetuate their punishment (Ge 4:12; Nu 32:13), by scattering or making them wander, and humble them.
12. let them even be … taken in their pride—while evincing it—that is, to be punished for their lies, &c.
13. Though delayed for wise reasons, the utter destruction of the wicked must come at last, and God's presence and power in and for His Church will be known abroad (1Sa 17:46; Ps 46:10, 11).
14, 15. Meanwhile let the rapacious dogs prowl, they cannot hurt the pious; yea, they shall wander famished and sleepless.
15. grudge if, &c.—literally, "they shall stay all night," that is, obtain nothing.
16, 17. Contrast the lot of God's servant, who employs his time in God's praise.
sing aloud … in the morning—when they retire famishing and disappointed, or it may denote delightful diligence in praise, as in Ps 30:5.