PSALM LIX _The psalmist prays for deliverance from his enemies, whose_ _desperate wickedness he describes_, 1-7; _professes strong confidence in God_, 8-10; _speaks of the destruction of his enemies_, 11-15; _praises God for benefits already received; and determines to_ _trust in him_, 16, 17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:2. _THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY_] Principally Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian; who were the chief enemies of the poor returned captives. _BLOODY MEN._] The above, who sought the destruction of the Israelites; and particularly, that of Nehemiah, whom _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:3. _FOR, LO, THEY LIE IN WAIT FOR MY SOUL_] For my _life_. See the passages referred to above.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:4. _THEY RUN AND PREPARE THEMSELVES_] They leave no stone unturned that they may effect my destruction and prevent the building.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:5. _O LORD GOD OF HOSTS_] This was a proper view to take of God. when Israel, a _handful_ of poor distressed captives were surrounded and oppressed by the heathen chiefs above mentioned, and their several tribes. But Jehovah, _God of hosts_, was the _God_ _of Israel_; and hence Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:6. _THEY RETURN AT EVENING_] When the beasts of prey leave their dens, and go prowling about the cities and villages to get offal, and entrap domestic animals, these come about the city to see if they may get an entrance, destroy the work, and those engaged in it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:7. _THEY BELCH OUT WITH THEIR MOUTH_] They use the lowest insult, the basest abuse. They deal in sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:8. _THOU, O LORD, SHALT LAUGH AT THEM_] They have mocked us; God will turn them and their schemes into ridicule and contempt: "Thou shalt have all these heathenish nations in derision.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:9. BECAUSE OF _HIS STRENGTH WILL I WAIT UPON THEE_] With this reading, I can make no sense of the passage. But instead of עזו _uzzo_, "_his_ strength," עזי _uzzi_, "_my_ strength," is the reading of _fourteen_ of _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS., of the _Vulgate, Septuagint, Chald... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:10. _THE GOD OF MY MERCY SHALL PREVENT ME_] The mercy of God shall go before me, and thus help me in all my doings. _GOD SHALL LET ME SEE_ MY DESIRE] The sentence is short. _God will_ _let me see concerning my enemies_, i.e., how he will treat them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:11. _SLAY THEM NOT, LEST MY PEOPLE FORGET_] I believe the Chaldee gives the true sense of this verse: "Do not slay them suddenly, lest my people should forget. Drive them from their habitations by thy power, and reduce them to poverty _by the loss_ of their property." Preserve them l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:12. FOR _THE SIN OF THEIR MOUTH_] This verse has puzzled all the commentators. If we take חטאת _chattath_ for _sin-offering_ instead of _sin_, we shall get a better sense. Some of Nehemiah's enemies made a profession of the Jewish religion. Tobiah and his son were allied by marriage... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:14. _AT EVENING LET THEM RETURN_] He had mentioned before, Psalms 59:6, that these persons came like beasts of prey round the city striving to get in, that they might take possession. Now, being fully assured of God's protection, and that they shall soon be made a public example, he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:16. _I WILL SING OF THY POWER_] For it was because thy _hand_ was upon me for good, that I have thus succeeded in my enterprises. _YEA, I WILL SING ALOUD OF THY MERCY_] I shall publish abroad what thou hast done; and done not for _my worthiness_, nor for the _worthiness_ of the _peo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 59:17. _UNTO THEE, O MY STRENGTH_] A similar sentiment to that expressed, Psalms 59:9. But the words are very emphatic: _God is my strength; God is my elevation. My God is my mercy_. I have nothing good but what I have from God. And all springs from his dwelling in me. God, therefore, s... [ Continue Reading ]