DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 59 David asks for deliverance from Saul and his cohorts when they tried to trap him in his house; and he expresses his confidence that his prayer will be answered. In the first part of the Psalm David compares his enemies to clamoring dogs whose bellowing noises are deadly (comparable to swords). In the latter part of the Psalm he asks God to make their noise like the noise of dogs that wander through the city crying out for food. Today's painting illustrates a contrast to David's fate. David was delivered from the dogs that surrounded him; but Actaeon was cursed and was eaten by dogs.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 19. IMPRECATORY PSALMS: Psalm 5. Psalm 10. Psalm 17. Psalm 35. Psalm 58. Psalm 59. Psalm 69. Psalm 70. Psalm 79. Psalm 83. Psalm 109. Psalm 129. Psalm 137. Psalm 140. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 59 - #1. Psalm 59 - #2. ]

     David asks God for deliverance and defense from his enemies who are iniquitous and bloody. They lie in wait for his soul and gather against him; they run and prepare themselves -- but not for any wrong which he has done, nor for any fault within him. So he asks God to awaken and help him against his enemies and against all of the heathen, and not to be merciful to any of them (1-6). He describes them as dogs which roam the city in the evening with swords in their lips, saying, ironically, "Who hears us." But the LORD will laugh at them and deride them. Because God is strong, David will use him as his defense. God will go (on the attack) in front of David; and God will let him see his desire upon his enemies. But David asks that they will be scattered, not slain, so that they will be a living reminder of God's judgment. He asks that they will be taken in their pride for the cursing and the lying which they speak. He asks that (after these judgments) they will be consumed by God's wrath so that they will know that God rules in the nation (7-13). David asks that they will cry out in the city like dogs hunting for food, and distressed that they cannot find it. Meanwhile, however, David will sing of God's power in the morning because God has defended him and has been merciful to him (14-17).

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God:
defend me from them that rise up against me.
² Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
and save me from bloody men.
³ 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.
⁴ They run and prepare themselves without my fault:
awake to help me, and behold.
⁵ 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.

⁶ They return at evening:
they make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
⁷ Behold, they belch out with their mouth:
swords are in their lips:
for who, say they, doth hear?
⁸ But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them;
thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
⁹ Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:
for God is my defence.
¹⁰ The God of my mercy shall prevent me:
God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
¹¹ Slay them not, lest my people forget:
scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
¹² 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.
¹³ 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.

¹⁴ And at evening let them return;
and let them make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
¹⁵ Let them wander up and down for meat,
and grudge if they be not satisfied.
¹⁶ 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.
¹⁷ Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing:
for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]