They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. They return at eveningThis phrase suggests a cyclical pattern of behavior, indicating persistence and determination in the actions of the wicked. The Hebrew root for "return" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which often implies a repetitive or habitual action. In the context of Psalm 59, it reflects the relentless nature of David's enemies, who continue their pursuit despite previous failures. Historically, evening was a time when cities were more vulnerable, as darkness provided cover for malicious activities. This imagery underscores the stealth and deceit of those who oppose the righteous. snarling like dogs
The imagery of "snarling like dogs" evokes a sense of aggression and hostility. In ancient Israel, dogs were not the domesticated pets we know today but were often wild and scavenging animals. The Hebrew word "הָמָה" (hamah) conveys a growling or roaring sound, emphasizing the threatening and chaotic nature of David's adversaries. This metaphor paints a vivid picture of the enemies' ferocity and their intent to intimidate and harm. and prowling around the city
"Prowling" suggests a stealthy and predatory behavior, akin to a predator seeking its prey. The Hebrew root "סָבַב" (sabab) means to encircle or surround, indicating a strategic and calculated approach by the enemies. The "city" represents a place of refuge and community, yet it is under siege by these malevolent forces. This phrase highlights the sense of danger and the need for divine protection, as the righteous are surrounded by those who seek their downfall. Historically, cities were fortified places, and the act of prowling around them signifies a breach of peace and security, calling for vigilance and trust in God's deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, David wrote this psalm during a time of distress when King Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. This context is crucial for understanding the urgency and desperation in his plea to God. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who became envious of David and sought to kill him. Saul's pursuit of David is a backdrop for this psalm, highlighting the theme of unjust persecution. 3. Enemies/WatchersThe men sent by Saul to watch David's house and kill him. They represent the immediate threat to David's life and are symbolic of the broader theme of evil and wickedness in the world. Teaching Points Understanding the Nature of EvilPsalm 59:6 describes the enemies as "returning at evening, snarling like dogs." This imagery emphasizes the persistent and aggressive nature of evil. Recognizing this helps believers remain vigilant in prayer and reliance on God. God as ProtectorDespite the threats, David consistently turns to God for protection. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when facing relentless opposition. Prayer as a WeaponDavid's response to his enemies is to cry out to God. This underscores the power of prayer as a primary means of spiritual warfare and seeking divine intervention. Righteous Anger vs. VengeanceWhile David expresses anger towards his enemies, he leaves vengeance to God. This distinction is crucial for Christians, who are called to be angry at sin but not to take revenge. Faith in God's JusticeDavid's confidence that God will deal with his enemies reassures believers that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord, encouraging patience and trust in His timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Psalm 59 enhance our interpretation of David's plea for deliverance? 2. In what ways can we relate David's experience with his enemies to the spiritual battles we face today? 3. How does Psalm 59:6's depiction of the enemies as "snarling like dogs" inform our understanding of the nature of evil? 4. How can we apply Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44 to situations where we feel persecuted or threatened? 5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our response to adversity aligns with David's example of seeking God's protection and justice? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 19This chapter provides the historical context for Psalm 59, detailing how Saul sent men to David's house to kill him, and how David's wife Michal helped him escape. Psalm 22Like Psalm 59, this psalm is a cry for deliverance from enemies. It also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, drawing a parallel between David's plight and the ultimate deliverance through Jesus. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you offers a New Testament perspective on dealing with adversaries, contrasting with the imprecatory nature of some of David's psalms. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Dog, Dogs, Evening, Howl, Howling, Noise, Prowl, Prowling, Return, Round, Snarling, Town, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:6 4630 dog
4933 evening Psalm 59:5-8 8819 scoffing 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 59:6 NIVPsalm 59:6 NLTPsalm 59:6 ESVPsalm 59:6 NASBPsalm 59:6 KJV
Psalm 59:6 Commentaries
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