Psalm 59 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 59)

Verse 4

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

Run — To and fro, to receive Saul's commands, and to execute them with all speed.

Verse 5

[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*/.

The God — A God in covenant with all true Israelites, whom thou hast promised to protect and bless.

The heathen — Or, these heathens, who though they are Israelites by birth; yet in their dispositions they are mere Heathens.

Be not — For indeed thou canst not according to thy word, be merciful to such incorrigible offenders.

Verse 6

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

Return — Watching for me: which they did at this time all the night long, 1 Samuel 19:11.

A dog — When he is pursuing his prey.

Go round — When they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other parts of the city.

Verse 7

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

Pour out — Sharp and bitter word's, abundantly and vehemently, as a fountain doth waters, as this word signifies.

Swords — Words as keen and mischievous as swords.

For who — David doth not hear us, and God either doth not hear, or not regard what we say.

Verse 10

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

Prevent — Thou wilt help me sooner than I expect.

Verse 11

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

My people — Over whom thou hast appointed me to be governor in due time.

Forget — Their former danger, and thy glorious mercy in delivering them.

Scatter — Let them wander from place to place, that they may carry the tokens of thy justice, and their own shame to all places.

Verse 12

[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.

Pride — For their proud and insolent speeches against thee.

Lying — For their execrations and lying reports, which they have spread concerning me.

Verse 13

[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*/.

Not be — In the land of the living any more.