Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. Deliver me from my enemies, O my GodThe psalmist begins with a plea for deliverance, highlighting the personal relationship with God by using "my God." The Hebrew word for "deliver" is "נצל" (natsal), which conveys a sense of being snatched away or rescued from danger. This reflects the urgency and desperation in David's cry. Historically, David faced numerous adversaries, including King Saul, who sought his life. The term "enemies" (אויבים, 'oyebim) refers to those who are hostile or adversarial, emphasizing the real and present danger David faced. The invocation of "O my God" signifies a deep, personal trust and reliance on God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of protection and salvation. protect me from those who rise against me
The word "protect" is translated from the Hebrew "שׂגב" (sagab), which means to set on high or make inaccessible. This implies not just a defensive action but an elevation above the threat, suggesting divine intervention that places the psalmist out of harm's reach. "Those who rise against me" indicates active opposition, often seen in the historical context of David's life, where he faced rebellion and betrayal. The phrase underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, where believers are often confronted by forces that seek to undermine their faith and mission. The psalmist's appeal is for God to act as a fortress, a common biblical metaphor for divine protection, ensuring safety and security amidst life's battles. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of the psalm, who is seeking God's deliverance from his enemies. This psalm is traditionally linked to the time when Saul sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him. 2. EnemiesThe adversaries of David, likely referring to King Saul and his men who were pursuing David to take his life. 3. GodThe central figure to whom David cries out for deliverance and protection. God is portrayed as a refuge and a source of strength. 4. SaulThe King of Israel at the time, who saw David as a threat to his throne and sought to kill him. 5. MichalDavid's wife, who helped him escape from Saul's men, as described in 1 Samuel 19. Teaching Points Dependence on God for DeliveranceDavid's plea for deliverance highlights the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. Believers are encouraged to seek God's help and protection when facing adversities. God as ProtectorThe psalm underscores the role of God as a protector. Just as David trusted God to shield him from his enemies, Christians are reminded to trust in God's protection in their own lives. Prayer in Times of DistressDavid's example teaches the value of prayer during difficult times. Believers should cultivate a habit of prayer, seeking God's guidance and intervention. Faith in God's SovereigntyDespite the immediate threat, David's faith in God's sovereignty is evident. Christians are encouraged to maintain faith in God's control over all circumstances. Spiritual WarfareThe psalm can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, reminding believers to be vigilant and rely on God's strength to overcome spiritual battles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Psalm 59:1 enhance your appreciation of David's plea for deliverance? 2. In what ways can you relate to David's experience of seeking God's protection from enemies, whether physical or spiritual? 3. How can the themes of deliverance and protection in Psalm 59:1 be applied to modern-day challenges faced by Christians? 4. What other biblical examples can you find where individuals sought God's deliverance from their enemies, and what can you learn from their experiences? 5. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18 relate to David's cry for help in Psalm 59:1, and how can you apply this to your daily life? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 19Provides the historical context of this psalm, detailing how Saul sent men to kill David and how Michal helped him escape. Psalm 18:2Another psalm of David where he refers to God as his rock, fortress, and deliverer, emphasizing the theme of divine protection. Ephesians 6:10-18Encourages believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against spiritual enemies, paralleling David's reliance on God for protection. 2 Samuel 22:2-3David's song of deliverance, where he again acknowledges God as his savior and protector. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Al-taschith, Al-tashheth, At-tashheth, Chief, Choirmaster, Cruel, David, David's, Death, Defend, Deliver, Destroy, Enemies, Gt, Hands, Kill, Leader, Lt, Michtam, Miktam, Music, Musician, Music-maker, O, Ones, Order, Overseer, Poem, Protect, Psalm, Rise, Safe, Saul, Saul's, Secret, Secure, Securely, Sending, Treasure, Tune, Watch, Watched, Watching, WithstandersDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:1 5480 protection Psalm 59: 5088 David, character
5420 music Psalm 59:1-2 6634 deliverance
8730 enemies, of believers Psalm 59:1-4 5086 David, rise of
8795 persecution, nature of Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:1 NIVPsalm 59:1 NLTPsalm 59:1 ESVPsalm 59:1 NASBPsalm 59:1 KJV
Psalm 59:1 Commentaries
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