Click here to read PSALM 59 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm has the title “Michtam,” which literally means an engraving. Psalms 56 through 60 all begin with this title. It is first seen in its only other occurrence—Psalm 16. All six of these titles deal with the Messiah’s death and resurrection.
These six Psalms are “engravings” in that they are established and will absolutely come to pass. As we go through Psalms 56—60, note the absolute certainty of God rescuing David from his enemies, and also of David’s conviction that his “son,” the Messiah, would be raised from the dead.
Psalm 59 also has the title “when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.” This is recorded in I Samuel 19:11-18, where David’s wife Michal (Saul’s daughter) helped David escape. Jesus Christ would have built great vision for his own life as he read of David’s faithfulness to trust God for deliverance from his enemies.
This Psalm contains the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1-5) Prayer for God’s deliverance from enemies
Pause
(Verses 6,7) Enemies act like a dog and speak prideful words
(Verses 8-10) Messiah trusts in God, his merciful defense against his enemies
(Verses 10-13) Prayer for God’s deliverance from enemies
Pause
(Verses 14,15) Enemies act like a dog and seek to consume for food
(Verses 16,17) Messiah sings to God, his merciful defense against his enemies
Key Scriptures
Verse 3—“not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.” David was unjustly attacked. Jesus Christ literally had no sin and endured “contradiction of sinners against himself” to resist “unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:3,4). He overcame sin and brought to us eternal life.
Verses 6,14—“like a dog.” In Biblical times, dogs were not considered to be “man’s best friend” as they are today. They were often like jackals or hyenas—scavengers who prowled about snarling and looking for any food they could find. Their viciousness and evil temperament made them a perfect analogy for evil-speaking and hard-hearted people. See Matthew 7:6; 15:26,27; Mark 7:27,28; Luke 16:21; Philippians 3:2; II Peter 2:22; and Revelation 22:15 for the despised nature and unclean habits of dogs (and people compared to them) in Biblical culture.
Verses 9,17—“for God is my defence.” In both places, God is the Messiah’s “high tower.” The contexts of these verses speak of God’s “strength” and “mercy.” Jesus Christ relied upon God’s great strength to overcome the Devil and bring mercy to all in need.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
