Psalm 59:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 59:1-7

The title of this psalm acquaints us particularly with the occasion on which it was penned; it was when Saul sent a party of his guards to beset David's house in the night, that they might seize him and kill him; we have the story 1 Sam. 19:11. It was when his hostilities against David were newly begun, and he had but just before narrowly escaped Saul's javelin. These first eruptions of Saul's malice could not but put David into disorder and be both grievous and terrifying, and yet he kept up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:5

Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts ,.... Of the armies in heaven, the angels, and of all the inhabitants of the earth; who are all under him, and at his dispose, and can do among them and with them whatsoever he pleases; the God of Israel ; of the people of Israel, literally understood; and mystically of all the elect of God, Jews and Gentiles. The former epithet is expressive of his power, this of his grace and goodness in a covenant way; and both encouraged the psalmist to address him... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 Israel had little to fear. Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors - Do not favor the cause of these wicked men. They are און בגדי bogedey aven , "changers of iniquity:" they go through the whole round of evil; find... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

It is generally agreed that the composition divides into four portions, two of them closed by the pause mark, "Selah," and the other two by a refrain. It thus consists of four strophes, the first of five verses ( 1 Samuel 19:1-5 ), and the other three of four verses each ( 1 Samuel 19:6-9 , 1 Samuel 19:10-13 , and 1 Samuel 19:14-17 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

Waiting upon God. There are expressions in this psalm which sound harsh and cruel, and which Christians would shrink from using. But, on the other hand, there is much here that comes home to our experience, and that is helpful and comforting in the great trials of life. It is something to know that good men have suffered affliction before us—that they have been falsely accused and foully wronged, that they have felt the pangs of grief and the bitterness of disappointment, and that they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:5

Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel (comp. Psalms 69:6 , also "a psalm of David"). Awake to visit all the heathen. "All" is emphatic, and means not only those without the covenant, but also those within—the wicked Israelites. It is noted that Saul's instruments consisted of two classes—actual heathen, such as Doeg the Edomite; and irreligious Israelites, as the Ziphites and others, who were no better than heathen. Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors . "The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:5

Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts - God of armies: commanding all the armies of heaven - the angels, and the stars and constellations drawn out in the form of armies; thou, thus endowed with all power, and able to subdue all people though arrayed and combined for purposes of evil - awake to my help. On the meaning of the phrase “God of hosts,” see the notes at Isaiah 1:9.The God of Israel - The God of the Hebrew people - the descendants of Jacob or Israel - the Protector of thy people - awake... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:5

Psalms 59:5. O Lord, &c., the God of Israel In covenant with all true Israelites, whom thou promisest to protect and bless. Awake to visit all the heathen Or, these heathen, who, though they are Israelites by birth, yet in truth, and in their dispositions and manners, are mere heathen. Be not merciful Hebrew, אל תחן , al tachon, Thou wilt not be merciful, that is, Thou canst not with honour, nor according to thy word, be merciful, to any wicked transgressors Hebrew, כל בגדי... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

Psalms 59:0 Wild dogsAt the time of writing this psalm, David had not yet fled to Gath and Adullam. He was still at Saul’s court, but his repeated military successes stirred up Saul’s jealousy, resulting in another attempt by Saul to spear him (1 Samuel 19:1-10). David escaped to the safety of his own house. Saul then laid a plot to murder him at his home, and David escaped only narrowly (1 Samuel 19:11-17). This psalm concerns the attempt on David’s life at his house.The psalm opens with a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 59:5

LORD God of hosts = Jehovah Elohim Sabaoth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 . heathen = nations. wicked. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . transgressors = hypocrites. Hebrew. bagad. Selah. Connecting the wicked transgressors with their true character as dogs of the Gentiles; and marking off and connecting the two prayers in verses: Psalms 59:1-5 , and verses: Psalms 59:11-13 . See App-66 . read more

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