Bible Strands
Psalms 59:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses God as the psalmist speaks during a moment of immediate mortal threat when Saul dispatched agents to guard his house for a planned assassination.
The words — הַצִּילֵ֖נִי (ha.tzi.le.ni) literally renders "deliver me," while תְּשַגְּבֵֽנִי (te.sa.ge.Ve.ni) means "may you set on high" or exalt.
The thread — The plea for divine rescue from hostile pursuers echoes 1 Samuel 19:11 where Saul's men literally watch David's house, and resurfaces in Psalm 18:48 with the identical pattern of deliverance and exaltation above foes.
Why it lands — The text demands a direct petition for protection from active aggressors before any theological reflection on their character or the outcome.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician, Al–taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 19:11 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”
- Psalms 18:48 who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Isaiah 33:16 he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.
- Luke 1:74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
- Psalms 7:1 A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
- Psalms 71:4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
- Psalms 143:9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.
- 2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.