Psalms 59:1

“Deliver Me”

Psalms 59:1-3 “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.”

These verses give one great reason to trust in the LORD; the deliverance God provides from evil men. The world is filled with violence and with men that prey upon other men. Sometimes people ask the question why certain tragedies happen in life for example why some people fall victim to crime and others do not. God protects His children. Often times those who fall prey to bloody men are those who do not trust in the one true living God who is able to deliver you from your enemies.

Psalms 59:4-5, “They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.”

In reading Psalms it is important to remember that it is part of the Old Testament not the New Testament. This means sometimes things were much harsher than they are now. Notice the phrase, “be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.” The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. We can be thankful that we do not live under the law and that God is merciful to wicked transgressors in this age of grace; because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are all wicked transgressors. Thank God we do not live in the age of the law as in the days when this Psalm was written.

Keep in mind God does not have to be merciful. There is nothing unjust about the phrase “be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.” If God chooses to punish and destroy the wicked then it is just and good. Even so we pray for mercy.

Psalms 59:6-7, “They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?” These verses paint a vivid picture of what the wicked are like. None wants a stray and wild dog running lose around the city. Such an animal could kill a small child or spread diseases. The wicked are much like wild and stray dogs they prey upon the little children.

“for who, say they, doth hear?” In other words they think they will get away with their crimes but they will not. Even if they escape the sword of government and the justice system God hears and God knows and God may very well choose to be unmerciful to them and to destroy them.

Psalms 59:8-10 say, “But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Because of His strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.”

Yes there is strength found in God. It is true that man has strength. But man’s strength is limited and tainted by sin. God’s strength is unlimited. It is much wiser to rely upon the strength of God. By trusting in God there is victory over the forces of evil.

Psalms 59:11-15 says, “Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by Thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. 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. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.”

There is nothing wrong with the desire for justice. To desire justice is not the same thing as desiring revenge. God will certainly grant justice to those that pray to Him and seek justice from God. How wise it is to trust in God for justice rather than to seek revenge because it is God who ultimately judges all men.

Psalms 59:16-17, “But I will sing of Thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.”

It might seem strange that Psalms 59 speaks of being unmerciful to the wicked and then speaks of the mercy of God. But really it makes sense. God is a God of mercy but when the opportunity for mercy is past then the time for judgment is come. Take your opportunities while you have them and turn from your sins to the mercy of Jesus Christ.

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