Psalm 59 is another mikhtam written
by David for the choir director. It is again to be sung to the tune of Al-tashheth. The
title tells us that David was being watched by men sent by his father-in-law,
King Saul. They were watching over him seeking for an opportunity to finish him
off. 1 Samuel 19:1-17 give us the detailed background to this Psalm. He felt
his life was threatened by these men whom he considered his enemies. So he prayed
to God. He presented his petition to Him, interspersing it with lament and expression
of trust and confidence that God would answer his plead. Again we find
imprecatory elements in his prayer, where he cursed his enemies and asked that
they be destroyed. While he talked about his enemies, he also took time to
praise God. In verses 5, 8 and 11, David’s mention of ‘the nations and my
people’ suggest that he was already king, though this fact cannot be ascertained.
In this Psalm we find him first pleading for protection from his enemies,
then went on to describe how duplicitous and underhanded his enemies were. He
was led to plead to God to discipline them. David started by asking for deliverance
and protection, and insisted that he was innocent and had done nothing to
warrant their attack. He insisted that what the enemies was doing to him was unjustified.
They had even laid an ambush to trap him so as to take his life. These were
fierce men with ill intent. In verse 5, David reminded God that He was the God of
Israel. As He helped him, God must also help his people fight against the
nations that came against them. This verse had led many to conclude that David
was already king at this point.
In verses 6-7, the enemies
of David were likened to a pack of dogs that scavenged the city in the evening.
Using figurative speech, David suggests that they were unrestrained in their condemning
words. They hurled insults and threats at God’s people. David likened their malicious
words to a sword that could kill. It’s true that words could be just as cutting
as a sword. No wonder we are told, ever so often in the Word, to be careful
with words. We are to be gracious with words, and what’s even more important to
take heed is: to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
While wearied of the attack and the struggles, David also
expressed his confidence in God. He was assured that God would defeat his and Israel’s
enemies. He knew the steadfast love of God would cause Him to come to meet with
him and save him. David was assured that God would come to the rescue of His people
for His own name’s sake. So that all the world would know that He had always been
Israel’s ruler and protector. In verses 14-15, David returned to the narratives
of the enemies as a pack of dogs that returned to scavenge the city. However,
their attempts would be futile and they would be making all kinds of needless
noises.
David on the other hand, would focus on God and praise Him, and
sing of His goodness and faithfulness. God was His sure security. We, like David,
may be unjustly persecuted. But we must always remember that God has
the capacity to deliver from any and every one of them. He will never fail us. His
great mercy and power are ever poised to be unleashed on us, to ensure our
safety and security. Hence it would be insensible not to look away from our
troubles so that we can focus on God and praise Him instead.
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