← Chapter 58 Chapter 60 →

Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 59, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.] Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. {Altaschith...: or, Destroy not} {Michtam: or, A golden Psalm} {defend...: Heb. set me on high}
Psalms 59:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
Psalms 59:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 59:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 They run and prepare themselves without {my} fault: awake to help me, and behold. {help: Heb. meet}
Psalms 59:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 59:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Psalms 59:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords {are} in their lips: for who, {say they}, doth hear?
Psalms 59:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
Psalms 59:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 {Because of} his strength will I wait upon thee: for God {is} my defence. {defence: Heb. high place}
Psalms 59:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see {my desire} upon mine enemies. {enemies: Heb. observers}
Psalms 59:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
Psalms 59:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 59:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 59:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 And at evening let them return; {and} let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Psalms 59:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied. {for meat: Heb. to eat} {and grudge...: or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night}
Psalms 59:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 59:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God {is} my defence, {and} the God of my mercy.
Psalms 59:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.