Psalm-59

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 59”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction to Psalm 59:

Psalm 59 Psalm-59 is a Michtam of David, written during a specific historical crisis: when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him (1 Samuel 19:11). It is a Psalm of protection. David finds himself surrounded by enemies who act like “howling dogs” circling the city. The Psalm is structured around the contrast between the noise and malice of the wicked and the silent, steady strength of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), whom David calls his “High Tower”.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 59: (JPS-1917 version of the Tannakh).

1. For the Leader; Al-tashheth. (A Psalm) of David; Michtam; when Saul sent,
and they watched the house to kill him.
2. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; set me on high from them that rise up against me.
3. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the men of blood.
4. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the impudent gather themselves together against me;
not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O יְהוָה - LORD.
5. Without my fault, they run and prepare themselves; awake Thou to help me, and behold.
6. Thou therefore, O יְהוָה-אֱלֹהִים צְבָאוֹת - LORD Elohim of hosts, the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Israel, arouse Thyself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. Selah
7. They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go round about the city.
8. Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords are in their lips: 'For who doth hear?'
9. But Thou, O יְהוָה - LORD, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the nations in derision.
10. Because of his strength, I will wait for Thee; for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is my high tower.
11. The אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of my mercy will come to meet me; אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will let me gaze upon mine adversaries.
12. Slay them not, lest my people forget, make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down, O יְהוָה - LORD our shield.
13. For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips,
let them even be taken in their pride, and for cursing and lying which they speak.
14. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they be no more;
and let them know that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim ruleth in Jacob, unto the ends of the earth. Selah
15. And they return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go round about the city;
16. They wander up and down to devour, and tarry all night if they have not their fill.
17. But as for me, I will sing of Thy strength; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning;
for Thou hast been my high tower, and a refuge in the day of my distress.
18. O my strength, unto Thee will I sing praises; for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is my high tower, the אֱלֹהִים of my mercy”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ item, with Explanations:

1. “For the Leader; Al-tashheth. (A Psalm) of David; Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him”.

Explanation: The superscription sets the scene of a man under siege in his own home. Like Psalm 58, it is set to Al-tashheth (“Do Not Destroy”), a plea for life.

2. “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; set me on high from them that rise up against me”.

Explanation: David’s first instinct is prayer. He asks not just for escape, but to be set “on high” placed in a spiritual and physical fortress where the reach of his enemies cannot touch him.

3. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the men of blood”.

Explanation: He identifies his enemies by their character: they work iniquity and are “men of blood” (violent men). He seeks salvation from their nature as much as their weapons.

4. “For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the impudent gather themselves together against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O יְהוָה - LORD”.

Explanation: David asserts his innocence. This is not a punishment for a crime he committed; rather, he is being hunted without cause, which makes his appeal to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice even stronger.

5. “They run and prepare themselves without my fault; awake Thou to help me, and behold”.

Explanation: The enemy is active and energetic (“they run”). David asks אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to “awake” not because אֱלֹהִים - Elohim sleeps, but as a plea for אֱלֹהִים to manifest His power and intervene in the human sphere.

6. Thou therefore, O יְהוָה-אֱלֹהִים צְבָאוֹת - LORD Elohim of hosts, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel, arouse Thyself to punish all the nations; spare not any treacherous workers of iniquity. Selah.

Explanation: David expands his prayer from his personal situation to a global scale. He calls on אֱלֹהִים as the “אֱלֹהִים of Hosts” (Commander of Heavenly Armies) to deal with all who act treacherously.

7. “They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go round about the city”.

Explanation: David compares his stalkers to scavengers. Like wild dogs that prowl at night, they are hungry for destruction and make a threatening "howl" of malice.

8. “Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords are in their lips: ‘For who doth hear?’”

Explanation: Their speech is offensive and harmful (“belching”). They believe they are unaccountable, thinking that no one, not even אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is listening to their conspiracies.

9. “But Thou, O יְהוָה - LORD, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the nations in derision”.

Explanation: In contrast to the frightening noise of the enemies, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is unbothered. His "laughter" is a sign of His absolute sovereignty; the threats of men are insignificant to the Almighty.

10. “O my Strength, unto Thee will I look; for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is my high tower”.

Explanation: Instead of looking at the “dogs” at the door, David looks up. He finds his security not in his own walls, but in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as his “Misgab” a high, inaccessible place of safety.

11. “O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of my mercy, He will let His mercy prevent me; אֱלֹהִים will let me look upon them that lie in wait for me”.

Explanation: The word “prevent” here means to “go before” or “meet”. David trusts that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy is already ahead of him, preparing the way before the enemy can strike.

12. “Slay them not, lest my people forget; make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down, O יְהוָה - LORD our shield”.

Explanation: David asks for a unique judgment: don’t kill them instantly, but make them a living example of failure. This serves as a perpetual lesson to the community that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim shields the innocent.

My Closing Message:

Tehillim - Psalm 59 is a profound liturgy for the “night watches” of life. When illness or enemies surround us like the “howling dogs” David described, this Psalm reminds us to shift our gaze from the “noise” of our troubles to the “High Tower” of our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. May you find strength in Verse 10, knowing that when your own strength feels low, He remains your “Strength” and your “High Tower”.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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