Psalms Reading – 2.24.2022
Psalm 59
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.
2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.
7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,10 my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.
14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
This is another prayer for deliverance in the face of cruel attacks from David’s enemies. It is part of a long sequence of psalms dealing with David’s enemies and part of a series of psalms emphasizing God as David’s place of refuge. The title links it with the events of 1 Samuel 19:11-18. However, it is appropriate for any number of crises that David faced.
David’s opening cry for deliverance also demonstrates that he knows that God is his source of security. In using these three major words that he had not done: offense, sin, and wrong, David asserts his innocence in the strongest possible terms. He did nothing to deserve this attack.
Because David faces so much opposition from so many places, he asks God to not only deal with his current situation but to punish all the nations who would come after him. He wants it to be known all over the earth that the God who rules over Israel is the one true God.
David reaffirms his faith in the middle and at the end by singing of God’s strength and love. He declares God is his fortress and safe place in times of trouble. He is confident that he can rely on God to be present and to answer his prayer.
If you feel you are being hit over and over unjustly by life, David’s story is for you. In the midst of an ongoing onslaught of problem after problem, keep reasserting your faith that God is your strength.
Memory Verse: Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Question(s) to Consider: Are you experiencing one crisis after another? What encouragement does David’s story offer you? Will you keep returning to God to place your trust in Him through prayer?