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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 59

Psalm 59 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book II (Psalms 42–72). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

PraiseMercy & ForgivenessKingship
Old Testament

Psalm 59

1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.

2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.

3For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, LORD.

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!

5You, LORD God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah.

6They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.

7Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?”

8But you, LORD, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.

9Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.

10My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.

11Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.

12For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.

13Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.

14At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.

15They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren’t satisfied.

16But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress.

17To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 59

Psalm 59 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book II (Psalms 42–72). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book II (Psalms 42–72). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Praise, Mercy & Forgiveness, Kingship. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 59

Psalm 59 contains 17 verses and about 348 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, my God.…” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 17 closes: “To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include will, high, behold, strength, tower, sing. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 59

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 59:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes praise, with related themes of Praise, Mercy & Forgiveness, Kingship. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

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