◄ Psalm 59:2 ►
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
Study Bible
Deliver me
The Hebrew root for "deliver" is "נצל" (natsal), which conveys the idea of being snatched away or rescued from danger. In the context of this psalm, David is earnestly pleading for God's intervention to rescue him from his enemies. This word reflects a deep trust in God's ability to save and protect His people. Historically, David faced numerous threats, and his reliance on God as his deliverer is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms. This plea for deliverance is not just a request for physical safety but also a spiritual cry for salvation from evil influences.

from workers of iniquity
The phrase "workers of iniquity" refers to those who actively engage in evil deeds. The Hebrew word for "iniquity" is "אָוֶן" (aven), which implies trouble, wickedness, or sorrow. These are not merely passive sinners but individuals who intentionally commit acts of unrighteousness. In the biblical context, such people are often seen as opposing God's will and causing harm to others. David's prayer highlights the reality of evil in the world and the need for divine intervention to protect the righteous from those who perpetrate wickedness.

and save me
The word "save" comes from the Hebrew "יָשַׁע" (yasha), meaning to deliver or give victory. This term is closely related to the name "Yeshua" (Jesus), which means "The Lord is salvation." David's request for salvation is both immediate and eternal, seeking God's protection in the present and His ultimate deliverance from all forms of evil. This reflects a deep-seated faith in God's power to save and His willingness to act on behalf of His people.

from men of bloodshed
"Men of bloodshed" refers to those who are violent and murderous. The Hebrew word "דָּמִים" (damim) is used here, which is often associated with blood guilt or the shedding of innocent blood. In ancient times, bloodshed was a serious offense, often leading to cycles of vengeance and retribution. David's plea is for protection from those who would unjustly take life, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the need for justice. This phrase underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of David's prayer, as he seeks refuge from those who disregard God's commandments and the value of human life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this Psalm, who is crying out to God for deliverance from his enemies. David often faced threats from those who sought his life, including King Saul and other adversaries.

2. Workers of Iniquity
This term refers to those who commit evil acts and live in opposition to God's righteousness. In the context of David's life, it could include those who plotted against him unjustly.

3. Men of Bloodshed
These are individuals who are violent and murderous, seeking to harm or kill others. David faced such threats from those who were envious or threatened by his anointing as king.

4. Saul's Pursuit of David
An event in David's life where King Saul, driven by jealousy and fear, sought to kill David, forcing him to flee and seek God's protection.

5. God as Deliverer
The central theme of this Psalm is God's role as a deliverer and protector of the righteous from their enemies.
Teaching Points
God as Our Protector
Just as David sought God's protection from his enemies, we too can trust God to be our shield and refuge in times of trouble.

Prayer in Times of Distress
David's example encourages us to turn to God in prayer when facing adversities, seeking His deliverance and guidance.

Recognizing Spiritual Battles
While David faced physical enemies, we must be aware of the spiritual battles we face and rely on God's strength to overcome them.

Responding to Enemies with Love
In light of Jesus' teachings, we are called to respond to those who oppose us with love and prayer, trusting God to handle justice.

Trusting God's Justice
We can rest in the assurance that God sees the injustices we face and will act in His perfect timing to bring about justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's plea for deliverance in Psalm 59:2 reflect his relationship with God, and how can we apply this to our own prayer life?

2. In what ways can we identify "workers of iniquity" and "men of bloodshed" in our own lives, and how should we respond to them biblically?

3. How does understanding the spiritual nature of our battles, as described in Ephesians 6:12, change the way we approach conflicts and adversities?

4. What practical steps can we take to love and pray for our enemies, as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 5:44?

5. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's justice and timing when facing situations of injustice or persecution?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:48
This verse also speaks of God delivering David from violent men, reinforcing the theme of divine protection.

2 Samuel 22:3-4
David praises God as his rock and deliverer, highlighting his reliance on God during times of danger.

Ephesians 6:12
This New Testament verse reminds believers that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil, connecting the physical threats David faced to spiritual battles Christians encounter.

Matthew 5:44
Jesus teaches to love and pray for enemies, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with those who oppose us.
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
Blood, Bloodshed, Bloodthirsty, Bloody, Deliver, Evil, Evildoers, Iniquity, Power, Safe, Save, Workers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 59:1-2

     6634   deliverance

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 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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