PsaumesChapitre 59

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For the choir director: to the tune "Do Not Destroy." A miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God; set me safe above those who rise against me.

Rescue me from those who do evil; save me from bloodthirsty men.

See how they lie in wait for my life! Fierce men band together against me, though I have done no wrong, committed no sin, O LORD.

For no guilt of mine they run and take their positions. Rise up to meet me, and see!

You, LORD God of hosts, God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; show no mercy to those who treacherously do evil. Selah

They return at evening, snarling like dogs, prowling around the city.

See how they pour out words with their mouths; swords are on their lips—"For who is listening?" they say.

But you, LORD, laugh at them; you mock all the nations.

O my Strength, I keep watch for you, for God is my fortress.

My God of mercy will come to meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my foes.

Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Make them stagger by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

For the sin of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their own pride, for the curses and the lies they tell.

Consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more; then they will know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

They return at evening, snarling like dogs, prowling around the city.

They roam about for food, and if they are not filled, they howl through the night.

But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing aloud of your mercy, for you have been my fortress, my refuge in the day of my distress.

O my Strength, to you I sing praise, for God is my fortress, my God of mercy.

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Résumé2

Chapitre 59

Main Theme: A prayer for protection from enemies, with praise of God as refuge and defender.

Content: David asks God for deliverance from enemies who seek his life, linked to the time when Saul sent men to guard his house. He asserts his innocence and describes the enemies as dogs that prowl around the city. The psalm alternates between lament and declarations of trust, concluding with praise of God's strength and grace.

Key Words/Images:

Dogs that prowl (vv. 7, 15): The enemies are compared to hungry, unchained dogs that wander in the evening – an image of threat and restlessness.
Refuge/stronghold (vv. 10, 17–18): God is David's high fortress and secure refuge in times of trouble.
Sword in their lips (v. 8): The enemies' words are like sharp weapons – they speak evil and think no one hears.
God's laughter (v. 9): The Lord laughs at the enemies and mocks the nations – an expression of God's sovereignty.

Contexte historique

Historical and Cultural Context for Psalm 59

People

The heading links the psalm to a specific episode in David’s life: when Saul sent men to guard his house with the intent of killing him (1 Sam 19:11–17). According to the biblical account, it was Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, who warned David and helped him escape through a window. Saul’s men surrounded the house at night and waited until morning to kill David. This background explains the psalm’s imagery of enemies who "come back in the evening" and "wander about the city" (vv. 7, 15), as well as the desperate plea for deliverance from those lying in ambush.

Key Terms

The heading contains the expression "al-tasjḥet" (אַל־תַּשְׁחֵת, "do not destroy"), a musical direction, as well as the genre designation "miktam" (מִכְתָּם).

The image of dogs wandering about the city (vv. 7, 15) reflects a well-known reality in the ancient Near East. Wild or semi-wild dogs lived off refuse on the outskirts of cities and were known for their noisy, threatening behavior at night. Comparing enemies to such dogs was a powerful insult that emphasized their predatory and unclean nature.

Events and Customs

The psalm’s prayer that God should not kill the enemies immediately but rather "make them stumble" and "bring them down" (v. 12) reflects the idea that prolonged humiliation would serve as a more lasting testimony to God’s justice than immediate destruction. The people were to remember ("so that my people may not forget") God’s intervention. This educational dimension of divine punishment was a familiar concept in Israelite thought.

Personnages2

David1 Saul1

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Mots-clés7

Enemies — Persons or forces who oppose or wish to harm another; in the book of Psalms 59 this often refers to those who stand against God and his people.
Watch — A person or force that protects or keeps guard over something or someone; here it is used of God as he protects his people from enemies.
Salvation — The term used to describe God's act of saving, protecting, and delivering his people from their enemies and sin.
Strength — Power or ability to do something, whether physical, mental, or spiritual; in this context it refers to God's power and ability to protect and save his people.
Praise — An expression of gratitude, honor, and glory to God through song, music, and poetry; in the book of Psalms 59 it is used to praise God for his protection and salvation.
Morning — The time when the day begins and the sun rises; in the book of Psalms 59 it symbolizes a new beginning and God's faithfulness each day.
Mercy — God's love, grace, and compassion toward people, especially regarding forgiving sins and giving help in times of trouble.