Psalms 59:11

Slay them not Apparently inconsistent with Psalms 59:13; but burning indignation does not study logical consistency. What he desires is that they may not be destroyed outright by some signal catastrophe, but visibly punished as a living example, until at last their own wickedness proves their destruction. Cp. Exodus 9:15-16 (R.V.). Pharaoh might have been cut off at once, but was suffered to exist, till his obstinate resistance sealed his doom, and enhanced God's sovereignty. The Fathers applied the words to the Jews in their dispersion, scattered but not consumed, an ever visible memorial of divine judgement.

scatter them by thy power Rather, make them wander to and fro by thine army, as vagabonds and outcasts (Psalms 109:10; Genesis 4:12; Genesis 4:14; Numbers 32:13). The word rendered by thy powerin A.V. is never used of God's might, but may mean (cp. Joel 2:25; Joel 3:11) the heavenly army which God has at His command. Cp. Psalms 35:5-6.

bring them down Cp. Psalms 55:23; Psalms 56:7.

our shield The Psalmist speaks as the representative of the nation, or at least of a class. For the metaphor cp. Psalms 3:3; Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalms 18:2; &c.