Bible Commentaries
Psalms 59

Verse 1

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

Al-taschith = Destroy not. See App-65 .

Title. Michtam . See App-65 .

when, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 19:11 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Defend me = set me on high.

Verse 2

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh.

Verse 3

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

transgression = rebellion. Hebrew. pasha'.

sin. Hebrew. chata'.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 5

LORD God of hosts = Jehovah Elohim Sabaoth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

heathen = nations.

wicked. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

transgressors = hypocrites. Hebrew. bagad.

Selah. Connecting the wicked transgressors with their true character as dogs of the Gentiles; and marking off and connecting the two prayers in verses: Psalms 59:1-5 , and verses: Psalms 59:11-13 . See App-66 .

Verse 8

laugh. Compare Psalms 2:4 .

Verse 9

Because of his strength: or, O my strength, as in Psalms 59:17 .

Verse 10

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

prevent = anticipate.

Verse 11

LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered "Jehovah" to "Adonai". App-32 .

Verse 12

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 13

Selah. See note on Psalms 59:5 .

Verse 15

wander = prowl about.

grudge: or, stay all night.

Verse 16

power = strength, as in Psalms 59:9 .

been = proved.

defence = high tower.

Verse 17

sing = sing praise.

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

upon = relating to.

Shushan-eduth. It is "testimony" relating to the second Passover provided for in Numbers 9:5-14 and acted on in 2 Chronicles, chapter 30. See App-65 .) The other of the two Psalms thus used is Psalms 79:0 .