Psalms 59:1 - Exposition

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God. This is David's almost constant cry (see Psalms 7:1 ; Psalms 17:13 ; Psalms 22:20 ; Psalms 25:20 ; Psalms 31:1 , Psalms 31:2 , Psalms 31:15 ; Psalms 35:17 ; Psalms 40:13 ; Psalms 43:1 ; Psalms 69:18 ; Psalms 70:1 , Psalms 70:4 ; Psalms 109:21 , etc.). He has enemies, both domestic and foreign. In his early youth Saul becomes his enemy out of jealousy; then most of Saul's courtiers espouse their master's quarrel, he has enemies at the court of Achish; enemies in his family, even among his sons, as Absalom enemies among his counsellors, as Ahithophel; foreign enemies on all sides of him—Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, Syrians, Mesopotamians, etc. Against all of them he invokes God's aid, and by God's aid he triumphs over all. Defend me from them that rise up against me; or, set me on high above them (Kay, Revised Version). David's domestic foes "rose up against him," no less than his foreign foes; made war on him; sought to seize his person, and put him to death.