Psalm 59: Save Me From Wicked Men

Introduction: Psalm 59 is a powerful piece of scriptural poetry that presents an intimate picture of King David’s faith in the face of adversity. In this psalm, David seeks divine protection and justice amidst a dire situation, believing in God’s righteous judgement over his enemies. In exploring Psalm 59, one can find a divine guide to dealing with challenges, betrayal, and adversity, with an enduring faith in God’s power and justice.

I. Psalm 59:1-5: A Plea for Deliverance
David begins the psalm by pleading for God’s protection from his enemies (Psalm 59:1). This prayer reflects similar sentiments in Psalm 7:1-2 and 2 Samuel 22:3, where David seeks refuge in God. In the face of threats from Saul’s men (1 Samuel 19:11), David recognizes that his enemies are strong (Psalm 59:3). Like in Psalm 38:19 and Psalm 69:4, the enemies are numerous and vicious. However, David affirms his innocence (Psalm 59:4), echoing the sentiments in Psalm 7:3-5 and 2 Samuel 22:21. He calls upon God – the Judge of the earth (Psalms 94:2) – to punish his enemies (Psalm 59:5).

II. Psalm 59:6-10: Describing the Enemies
In these verses, David describes his enemies as vicious dogs (Psalm 59:6), a metaphor used in other scriptures including Psalm 22:16 and Matthew 7:6. He highlights their evil words (Psalm 59:7), aligning with the scriptural understanding that the tongue can bring destruction (James 3:6). Despite the threatening circumstances, David declares his trust in God’s love and strength (Psalm 59:9-10), reminiscent of similar declarations in Psalm 18:1-2 and Psalm 62:7.

III. Psalm 59:11-15: A Cry for Justice
David cries out for God’s justice, asking Him not to kill his enemies outright, but to make them wander and suffer so that their wickedness may be known (Psalm 59:11). This reflects a desire for God’s justice to be visible, as seen in Psalm 64:7-8 and Psalm 83:16-18. David goes on to describe his enemies’ end, where they will be devoured by God’s sword (Psalm 59:13), a concept reflected in Deuteronomy 32:41-42. Finally, David envisions a time when everyone will know of God’s strength and rule each dawn (Psalm 59:14-15), a hope echoed in Psalm 96:2-3 and Isaiah 52:7.

IV. Psalm 59:16-17: Expressing Trust in God
David concludes his psalm by expressing his trust in God’s steadfast love (Psalm 59:16-17). He vows to sing praises to God’s strength and protection, a recurring theme in the book of Psalms (Psalm 21:13, Psalm 71:22), and acknowledges God as his fortress and refuge, similar to the declarations found in Psalm 18:2 and Psalm 91:2.

Conclusion: Psalm 59 provides a divine guide to navigating life’s trials, offering a glimpse into King David’s unwavering faith amidst adversity. David’s pleas for deliverance, descriptions of his enemies, cries for visible justice, and expressions of trust in God can inspire believers today to persevere through challenges, confident in God’s protection and justice. Thus, Psalm 59 takes us on a journey from the depths of despair to the heights of faith, teaching us to lean on divine power and justice in our darkest hour.