Psalm 59:3

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 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul ,.... As the men did that watched his house, when Saul sent to kill him; so the Jews sought and lay in wait to take away the life of Christ; and very often was it the case of the Apostle Paul, that he was in danger of his life, through the lying in wait of the Jews; so Satan makes use of cunning devices, stratagems, and wiles, to ruin the souls of God's people, if possible; and false teachers lie in wait to deceive them. The emphasis lies upon the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul - For my life. See the passages referred to above. 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 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul. The emissaries of Saul were sent to David's house "to watch him, and to slay him in the morning" ( 1 Samuel 19:11 ). This seems to be the "lying in wait" intended. Warned by his wife, Michal, Saul's daughter, David fled from his house during the night through a window, and so saved himself ( 1 Samuel 19:12 ). The mighty (or, the strong ones ) are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord . Not in consequence of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul - They lie in wait as wild beasts do for their prey, ready to spring upon it. The word used here is often employed to denote the act of lying in ambush; of watching in secret places to spring upon a victim: Judges 9:32; Judges 21:20; Psalms 10:9. The word “soul” here means “life.” They lie in ambush that they may kill me.The mighty are gathered against me - Strong men; hostile men; cruel men. Saul would employ on this occasion not the weak, the cowardly,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:3

Psalms 59:3. They lie in wait for my soul For my life, to take it away. The mighty are gathered against me They are all mighty, men of honour and estates, and interest in the court and country. They are in a confederacy, united by a league; and actually gathered together against me; combined both in consultation and action. Not for my transgression, nor for my sin Without any provocation or cause given by me. I am a sinner before thee, O Lord, but I have done them no injury. It was a... 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 59:3

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . transgression = rebellion. Hebrew. pasha'. sin. Hebrew. chata'. LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . read more

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