Psalms 59:1-17 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Again we have a song from the midst of peril. The singer is the object of determined, stealthy, and malignant opposition. It is divided into two parts, both ending with the same declaration, "God is my high Tower."

The first (verses Psa 59:1-9) describes the danger. Without any reason, and with the most relentless determination, the singer's enemies are attempting to encompass his destruction. He announces his determination to wait on his Strength, and declares that God is his high Tower.

The second part is a prayer that God will deal with these foes. Not that they may be slain, but rather that they may be consumed in their own sinning. He then announces his determination to sing praises to his Strength, and the note of the praise is that of the prayer. God is his high Tower!

There is perhaps no more beautiful description of what God is to His tried people. The phrase suggests at once strength and peace. A tower against which all the might of the foe hurls itself in vain. A high tower so that the soul taking refuge in it is lifted far above the turmoil and the strife, and enabled to view from a vantage ground of perfect safety the violence which is futile and the victory of God.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 59:1

Psalms 59:1-17

1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

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.

4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to helpa me, and behold.

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.

6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.b

10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.c

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

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.

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.

14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

15 Let them wander up and down for meat,d and grudge if they be not satisfied.

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.

17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.