◄ Psalm 59:13 ►
Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
Study Bible
Consume them in wrath
The phrase "Consume them in wrath" reflects a plea for divine justice against the wicked. The Hebrew root for "consume" is "כָּלָה" (kalah), which means to bring to an end or to finish. This word conveys a sense of totality, indicating that the psalmist is asking God to completely eradicate the influence and power of the enemies. The term "wrath" is derived from the Hebrew "אַף" (aph), often associated with God's righteous anger against sin and injustice. In the historical context, this reflects the psalmist's reliance on God's moral governance, trusting that divine retribution will ultimately prevail over human wickedness.

consume them till they are no more
The repetition of "consume them" emphasizes the psalmist's earnest desire for the complete removal of evil. The phrase "till they are no more" underscores the finality of this divine action. The Hebrew word "אֵין" (ayin) means "nothing" or "non-existence," highlighting the psalmist's hope for the total obliteration of the wicked's presence and influence. This reflects a deep trust in God's ability to bring about ultimate justice, ensuring that evil will not have the final word in the world.

Then they will know
This phrase points to the purpose behind the plea for divine intervention. The Hebrew root "יָדַע" (yada) means "to know" or "to perceive." It suggests an experiential knowledge that comes from witnessing God's actions. The psalmist desires that the eradication of the wicked will lead to a broader recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's acts of judgment serve as a revelation of His character and power to both the righteous and the wicked.

to the ends of the earth
The phrase "to the ends of the earth" signifies the universal scope of God's authority and the global impact of His actions. The Hebrew "קָצֶה" (qatseh) refers to the extremities or farthest reaches, indicating that the knowledge of God's justice is intended to extend beyond Israel to all nations. This reflects the biblical vision of God's kingdom as encompassing all creation, where His righteousness and glory are acknowledged universally.

that God rules over Jacob
This phrase reaffirms God's covenant relationship with Israel, represented by "Jacob." The Hebrew "מָשַׁל" (mashal) means "to rule" or "to have dominion." It emphasizes God's sovereign authority over His chosen people, ensuring their protection and justice. Historically, this reflects the assurance given to Israel that despite their enemies, God remains their ultimate ruler and defender. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises, reinforcing the hope that He will act on behalf of His people.

Selah
The term "Selah" is a Hebrew word found frequently in the Psalms, though its exact meaning is uncertain. It is often interpreted as a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. In this context, "Selah" serves as a moment to meditate on the profound truths of God's justice, sovereignty, and faithfulness as expressed in the verse. It encourages believers to pause and consider the implications of God's righteous rule and the assurance of His ultimate victory over evil.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
- The author of Psalm 59, David wrote this psalm as a plea for deliverance from his enemies, specifically when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

2. God
- The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as the righteous judge and deliverer who rules over Jacob (Israel).

3. Enemies of David
- These are the adversaries who seek to harm David, representing those who oppose God's anointed.

4. Jacob
- Refers to the nation of Israel, highlighting God's covenant relationship with His chosen people.

5. Selah
- A term used in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis on the preceding statement.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is sovereign over all nations and peoples. His rule is ultimate and extends to the ends of the earth.

Righteous Judgment
Trust in God's righteous judgment. He will deal with evil and injustice in His perfect timing and way.

Prayer for Deliverance
Like David, we can bring our pleas for deliverance to God, trusting in His power to save and protect us from our adversaries.

Reflection and Pause
Take time to reflect on God's power and sovereignty in your life. The use of "Selah" invites us to pause and consider the weight of God's rule.

Witness to the World
Our lives should testify to God's rule and righteousness, making His sovereignty known to those around us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over the nations impact your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can you trust God to handle the injustices you face, as David did with his enemies?

3. How can you incorporate moments of "Selah" or reflection into your daily life to better acknowledge God's rule?

4. What are some practical ways you can make God's sovereignty known to those around you?

5. How does the theme of God's righteous judgment in Psalm 59:13 connect with the New Testament teachings on leaving vengeance to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 2
This psalm also speaks of God's sovereignty and His ultimate rule over the nations, similar to the theme of God's dominion in Psalm 59:13.

Romans 12:19
This verse echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, as David does in his plea for God to consume his enemies.

Isaiah 45:22
This passage calls the ends of the earth to recognize God's sovereignty, paralleling the acknowledgment of God's rule in Psalm 59:13.
Sermons
God's Defence of His Persecuted PeopleChristian AgePsalm 59:1-17
Revelations of the Good and Bad in Human NatureHomilistPsalm 59:1-17
Waiting Upon GodW. Forsyth Psalm 59:1-17
People
David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, Saul
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Consume, Destroy, Ends, Fury, Jacob, Rules, Ruleth, Ruling, Selah, Till, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 59:12

     5164   lips

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 Scripture

Of 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

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