Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Psalms 59
Psalm 59:8But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
This verse provides a dramatic shift in perspective, moving from the threatening enemies to a sovereign God who is not worried, but holds their efforts in derision.Psalm 59:10My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
Here, David expresses his confidence that God's reliable love will be his rescue, allowing him to see the failure of his enemies' plans.Psalm 59:16-17But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
This conclusion is a powerful vow of praise. It shows that victory is found in maintaining a heart of worship that celebrates God's character, rather than simply surviving.
Historical & Cultural Context
A House Under Siege
The psalm's title sets a tense and dangerous scene, linking it to the time King Saul sent soldiers to watch David's house and assassinate him in the morning (1 Samuel 19:11). David is trapped, surrounded by 'bloodthirsty men' who prowl the city like a pack of hungry dogs. The atmosphere is one of immediate peril and injustice, as David insists he has done nothing to provoke this attack.
The Journey from Fear to Faith
Despite the physical danger, the true action of the psalm happens in David's heart and mind. The narrative flow is not about what the enemies are doing, but about David's journey from fear to faith. He moves from describing the threat, to appealing to God's power, to confidently resting in God's character, and finally to erupting in praise. It's a powerful emotional and spiritual progression from desperation to devotion.
From a Desperate Cry to a Victorious Song
Psalm 59 unfolds as a deeply personal prayer from a man in mortal danger. The scene is set at night, with enemies circling like predators. As David prays, his focus shifts from the menacing 'howling' of his foes outside his window to the unwavering strength of his God, who he trusts will bring the 'morning' of deliverance.
An Urgent Plea for Rescue (Psalm 59:1-5)
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me;
2 Deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.
3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
4 For no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see!
5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Commentary:
David urgently begs God for protection from his enemies, stressing his own innocence.
Vicious Dogs and a Laughing God (Psalm 59:6-8)
6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouths; swords are in their lips, for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”
8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
Commentary:
David contrasts his vicious, arrogant enemies with the sovereign God who laughs at their futile threats.
My Strength, My Fortress (Psalm 59:9-13)
9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
11 Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!
12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. And for the cursing and lies that they utter,
13 Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!
Commentary:
David affirms his trust in God as his strength and asks for a justice that will serve as a lesson to others.
A Morning Song of Praise (Psalm 59:14-17)
14 And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog and go around the city.
15 They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill.
16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Commentary:
In stark contrast to his unsatisfied enemies, David resolves to greet the morning with songs of praise for God's strength and love.
Finding Security in God's Unfailing Character
God as a Fortress and Refuge
The psalm repeatedly uses the imagery of a fortress or high tower to describe God. This conveys a sense of absolute security and protection, a place where enemies cannot reach. In the face of overwhelming threats, David finds his safety not in walls or weapons, but in the very character of God.
The Sovereignty of God Over Evil
The image of God laughing at His enemies is one of the most powerful in the psalms. It teaches that from God's perspective, the most intimidating human plots are futile and absurd. This theme reassures us that no evil plan can ever thwart God's ultimate purpose or endanger those He protects.
Steadfast Love as the Basis for Confidence
David's confidence is ultimately rooted in God's 'steadfast love' (hesed in Hebrew), a term describing a loyal, covenant-keeping love. He knows God will act on his behalf not because he deserves it, but because it is part of God's faithful character. This reliable love is the foundation for his morning song of praise.
Finding Your Fortress in God
David's prayer gives you a powerful model for honesty and faith. It shows that you can pour out your specific fears and frustrations to God (Psalm 59:3), but it also encourages you to pivot your focus from the problem to your Protector. By declaring God as your 'fortress' (Psalm 59:9), you can reframe your situation and find stability even before the circumstances change.
Calling God 'my strength' means you actively choose to rely on His power instead of your own limited resources to face the day. It's admitting your weakness and trusting that His 'steadfast love' (Psalm 59:17) will provide the resilience, wisdom, and endurance you need. It is a moment-by-moment decision to depend on Him for everything from difficult conversations to overwhelming tasks.
You can cultivate this hope by intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness, just as David did. Even when everything feels dark, you can recall times God has been your 'refuge in the day of my distress' (Psalm 59:16). This practice of remembrance builds a foundation of trust, allowing you to praise Him for who He is, confident that the morning is coming because He is faithful.
God is our steadfast, strong fortress.
Psalm 59 is a powerful testimony that God is a present and powerful refuge in times of real danger. It shows that faith is not the absence of fear, but the choice to turn to God amidst that fear. The core message is that our perspective determines our peace. When we shift our focus from the threats surrounding us to the God who reigns above us, desperation gives way to confidence. The psalm declares that God's steadfast love is a secure fortress, enabling us to sing with hope for the morning, even in the darkest night.
What This Means for Us Today
Psalm 59 invites us to be brutally honest with God about the things that threaten our peace and security. It gives us permission to cry out for help, but it doesn't leave us there. The psalm models a crucial turn of the heart - from staring at the problem to looking to our Protector, finding in Him our strength, our fortress, and our reason to sing.
- What situation or fear in your life feels like a 'howling dog' right now?
- How can you intentionally declare God as your 'fortress' and 'refuge' in that specific situation this week?
- What is one aspect of God's 'steadfast love' you can praise Him for in the morning, regardless of your circumstances?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
This passage provides the historical backdrop for the psalm, narrating the specific event where Saul's men surrounded David's house to kill him.
This royal psalm contains similar language about the nations plotting in vain and the Lord laughing at them from heaven.
This verse echoes the theme of God as a refuge, stating, 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.'
Thematic Connections
Paul's confident declaration, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' captures the same spirit of trust found in Psalm 59.
Discussion Questions
- David describes his enemies as 'howling like dogs' and having 'swords in their lips.' What are some modern equivalents of these threats (e.g., online slander, workplace hostility, systemic injustice), and how does this psalm change how we might view them?
- In verse 8, David says, 'But you, O Lord, laugh at them.' How does this image of a sovereign, laughing God challenge or comfort you when you feel overwhelmed by problems that seem huge and serious?
- The psalm moves from a plea for deliverance to a promise of praise. What practical steps can we take to cultivate a heart of praise and trust in God's 'steadfast love' even when we are still in the middle of our trials?