The general title to this psalm is the same as in the two preceding psalms. That it was written by David, as is affirmed in the title, there is every reason to believe. The “occasion” on which it is said to have been composed was “when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.” This incident is related in 1 Samuel 19:11 : “Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house to watch him, and to slay him in the morning.” There is nothing in the psalm inconsistent with this statement in regard to the time and the occasion of its composition, unless it is in the word “heathen” - גוים gôyim - twice used Psalms 59:5, Psalms 59:8 - a term, which (DeWette maintains) belongs properly to people of a foreign nation, and a foreign religion. It is true, however, that while the word originally had this meaning, it came to be used to denote any people or persons who had the general character and spirit which was supposed to distinguish nations without the knowledge of the true God; those who were cruel, harsh, unfeeling, oppressive, savage. Psalms 2:1, Psalms 2:8; Psalms 9:5, Psalms 9:15, Psalms 9:19-20; Psalms 10:16; Psalms 79:6, Psalms 79:10; Psalms 106:47, et al. In this sense it might be used here, without impropriety, as applicable to the enemies of David.
At what precise “time” the psalm was composed, it is, of course, impossible now to ascertain. All that is determined by the title is that it was on that occasion, or with reference to that event; but whether it was at the very time when those enemies were known to be watching the house, or whether it was in view of that scene as recollected afterward, recalling the feelings which then passed through his mind, cannot now be determined with certainty. That David was aware that his enemies were thus watching him is apparent from 1 Samuel 19:11; that such thoughts as are recorded in the psalm passed through his mind in that time of danger is not improbable, but it can hardly be supposed that such an occasion would allow of the leisure necessary to express them in the form in which we now have them in the psalm. The probability, therefore, seems to be, that the psalm is a subsequent composition, recording the thoughts which then actually passed through his mind.
The psalm has no very regular order. The mind passes from one thing to another - now uttering fervent prayer; now describing the enemy - his character and plans; and now expressing the confident hope of deliverance, and the purpose to praise God. Indeed the very structure of the psalm seems to me to furnish evidence that it describes feelings which “would” pass through the mind on such an occasion. Thus we have in Psalms 59:1-2, Psalms 59:5,Psalms 59:11-15, “prayer” for deliverance; in Psalms 59:3-4, Psalms 59:6,Psalms 59:12, intermingled with these prayers, a description of the character and designs of these enemies; and in Psalms 59:8-9, Psalms 59:16-17, an expression of confident hope - a purpose to praise God, for deliverance and mercy. All this is indicative of such feelings as “might,” and probably “would,” pass through the mind in such a time of peril as that referred to in the title.
On the different phrases in the title, see Introductions to Psalms 4; Psalms 47; Psalms 16.