[4] They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
Run — To and fro, to receive Saul's commands, and to execute them with all speed.
[5] Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. /*Selah*/.
The God — A God in covenant with all true Israelites, whom thou hast promised to protect and bless.
The heathen — Or, these heathens, who though they are Israelites by birth; yet in their dispositions they are mere Heathens.
Be not — For indeed thou canst not according to thy word, be merciful to such incorrigible offenders.
[6] They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Return — Watching for me: which they did at this time all the night long, 1 Samuel 19:11.
A dog — When he is pursuing his prey.
Go round — When they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other parts of the city.
[7] Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
Pour out — Sharp and bitter word's, abundantly and vehemently, as a fountain doth waters, as this word signifies.
Swords — Words as keen and mischievous as swords.
For who — David doth not hear us, and God either doth not hear, or not regard what we say.
[10] The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
Prevent — Thou wilt help me sooner than I expect.
[11] Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
My people — Over whom thou hast appointed me to be governor in due time.
Forget — Their former danger, and thy glorious mercy in delivering them.
Scatter — Let them wander from place to place, that they may carry the tokens of thy justice, and their own shame to all places.
[12] For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Pride — For their proud and insolent speeches against thee.
Lying — For their execrations and lying reports, which they have spread concerning me.
[13] Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. /*Selah*/.
Not be — In the land of the living any more.
Psalm 59 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 4
[4] They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
Run — To and fro, to receive Saul's commands, and to execute them with all speed.
Verse 5
[5] Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. /*Selah*/.
The God — A God in covenant with all true Israelites, whom thou hast promised to protect and bless.
The heathen — Or, these heathens, who though they are Israelites by birth; yet in their dispositions they are mere Heathens.
Be not — For indeed thou canst not according to thy word, be merciful to such incorrigible offenders.
Verse 6
[6] They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Return — Watching for me: which they did at this time all the night long, 1 Samuel 19:11.
A dog — When he is pursuing his prey.
Go round — When they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other parts of the city.
Verse 7
[7] Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
Pour out — Sharp and bitter word's, abundantly and vehemently, as a fountain doth waters, as this word signifies.
Swords — Words as keen and mischievous as swords.
For who — David doth not hear us, and God either doth not hear, or not regard what we say.
Verse 10
[10] The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
Prevent — Thou wilt help me sooner than I expect.
Verse 11
[11] Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
My people — Over whom thou hast appointed me to be governor in due time.
Forget — Their former danger, and thy glorious mercy in delivering them.
Scatter — Let them wander from place to place, that they may carry the tokens of thy justice, and their own shame to all places.
Verse 12
[12] For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Pride — For their proud and insolent speeches against thee.
Lying — For their execrations and lying reports, which they have spread concerning me.
Verse 13
[13] Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. /*Selah*/.
Not be — In the land of the living any more.