Psalms 59:11 - Exposition

Slay them not, lest my people forget; i.e. my true people— faithful Israel. The psalmist's "first thought is, that by lingering on in life for a while the wicked may be more edifying monuments of the Divine anger" (Cheyne). (For a parallel, see Exodus 9:16 .) Scatter them by thy power; or, make them wanderers (comp. Genesis 4:12 , Genesis 4:14 ). It has been often noted that David's curse seems to have passed on to the entire nation of the Jews. And bring them down, O Lord our Shield; i.e. "cast them down from their honourable positions bring them into misery and disgrace—O Lord, who art our Defense and Shield" (comp. Psalms 3:3 ; Psalms 18:2 ; Psalms 28:7 ).