For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
    be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
    and save me from those who are after my blood.

3 See how they lie in wait for me!
    Fierce men conspire against me
    for no offence or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
    Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
    you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
    show no mercy to wicked traitors.

6 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths –
    the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
    and they think, ‘Who can hear us?’
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
    you scoff at all those nations.

9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
10     my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me
    and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
    or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
    and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths,
    for the words of their lips,
    let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
13     consume them in your wrath,
    consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
    that God rules over Jacob.

14 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food
    and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

A. Find Out:

1. From whom does David asked to be delivered (4 descriptions) v.1,2
2. What does he say about them and about himself? v.3,4
3. How further does he describe them? v.6,7,14,15
4. How does he describe the Lord? v.9,16,17
5. What does he ask the Lord to do? v.5,13
6. Yet what does he also ask and why? v.11

B. Think:

1. Observe the note at the beginning. Read 1 Sam 19:9-13 for context.
2. What TWO forms of opposition was coming against David here?
3. How did he see the Lord and what did he want to happen?

C. Comment:

Saul has opened himself (through his disobedience) to disciplinary action coming from the Lord, in the form of being attacked by an evil spirit. This makes Saul violent and reject the man most able to help him, David. David has to flee but the words of Saul, and subsequently his followers, follow after David. But words aren’t enough for the enemy, he will also act against David and try to kill him. David becomes aware of this and this psalm ensues. David sees those ordered by Saul to come after him as wild dogs (v.6), snarling among each other and prowling round looking for food, looking for someone to destroy. A very graphic picture of them! They are enemies (v.1), evil-doers (v.2), conspiring against him (v.3), ready to attack (v.4)

But David isn’t down about this; his trust is in the Lord. He first describes God as the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel (v.5). He is God who is all-powerful, the God who has made Himself known to Israel as the Holy One. He will have no problem with a few unrighteous men; He laughs at them (v.8). Yes, Lord, sweep them away, is David’s request, but don’t kill them outright, do it slowly so that others see and know it is You (v.11). To David, God is a shield (v.11), his fortress (v.9,16,17), one who will provide his protection from the enemy. In Him he can rest and be secure.

D. Application:

1. Do we understand God’s greatness and holiness?
2. Can we say the Lord is our shield and fortress?