Psalm 59:6 NIV

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 59:6

They return at evening ,.... It was at evening Saul sent messengers to watch David's house, that they might take him in the morning; but missing him, perhaps after a fruitless search for him all the day, returned at evening to watch his house again; or they might come, and go and return the first evening. So it was night when Judas set out from Bethany, to go to the chief priests at Jerusalem, to covenant with them, and betray his master; and it was in the night he did betray him, after he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:6

Verse 6 6.They will return at evening. He compares his enemies to famished and furious dogs which hunger impels to course with endless circuits in every direction, and under this figure accuses their insatiable fierceness, shown in the ceaseless activity to which they were instigated by the desire of mischief. He says that they return in the evening, to intimate, not that they rested at other times, but were indefatigable in pursuing their evil courses. If they came no speed through the day,... 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 59:6

They return at evening. Having traced David to his house, they disperse for a time, but "return" again at evening, and take up their watch ( 1 Samuel 19:11 ). They make a noise like a dog; i.e. snarl and growl, quarrelling more or less among themselves during the night time. And go round about the city. Either wander vaguely about, as dogs do for prey, or patrol the walls and gates to see that David does not quit the city, and so escape them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:6-9

"Here a new stanza begins" (Cheyne). The "enemies" of Psalms 59:1 and the "workers of iniquity" of Psalms 59:2 are more elaborately portrayed. First they are represented as "dogs"—such hideous, half-wild dogs as frequent Eastern cities, which sleep during the greater part of the day, and rove about in packs at night—unclean, horrid, loathsome animals ( Psalms 59:6 ). Then they appear as men—abusive, slanderous, godless ( Psalms 59:7 ). In conclusion, appeal is made to God against them.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:6

They return at evening - Many have rendered this in the imperative, as in Psalms 59:14, “Let them return at evening,” etc. So Luther renders it, and so also DeWette. But the more natural and obvious interpretation is to render it in the indicative, as describing the manner in which his enemies came upon him - like dogs seeking their prey; fierce mastiffs, howling and ready to spring upon him. From the phrase “they return at evening,” thus explained, it would seem probable that they watched... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:6-7

Psalms 59:6-7. They return at evening Saul sent once to destroy him, and the messengers went back to inform him that he was ill; but they returned in the evening to bring him even in his bed. They make a noise like a dog The Hebrew יהמו , jehemu, signifies the confused hum and noise of an assembled crowd. “The psalmist here compares the muttered threats of his enemies to the growlings or snarlings of a dog, ready to bite and tear any person; and the comparison is just and natural.”... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:6-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:6-7

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