Bible Strands
Psalms 59:2
Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses God, requesting rescue from those who plotted to kill him after Saul sent men to watch his house. This plea occurs within a Miktam composed for the tune “Do Not Destroy” during an active lethal conspiracy.
The words — The Hebrew imperatives haṣṣîlênî and hôšîʿênî command God to deliver and save the speaker. They target the threat as pōʿălê ʾāwen (workers of iniquity) and ʾănšê dāmîm (men of bloodshed).
The thread — The same phrasing appears in Psalm 26:9 and Psalm 139:19, where the psalmist refuses to share fate with bloodthirsty men and calls for God to slay the wicked. Psalm 55:23 also repeats the warning that men of bloodshed and deceit will not complete their lives.
Why it lands — The verse explicitly records a request for divine protection against conspirators who act without the speaker's transgression. It requires the reader to direct urgent appeals to God for rescue rather than relying on human retaliation.
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
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
Cross-references
- Psalms 139:19 O God, that You would slay the wicked—away from me, you bloodthirsty men—
- Psalms 26:9 Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,
- Psalms 55:23 But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
- Psalms 27:2 When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.