Psalm 58
Psa 58:1-11. David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline persecution probably occasioned this Psalm, in which the Psalmist teaches that the innate and actual sinfulness of men deserves, and shall receive, God's righteous vengeance, while the pious may be consoled by the evidence of His wise and holy government of men
1. O congregation--literally, "Oh, dumb"; the word used is never translated "congregation." "Are ye dumb? ye should speak righteousness," may be the translation. In any case, the writer remonstrates with them, perhaps a council, who were assembled to try his cause, and bound to give a right decision.
2. This they did not design; but
weigh ... violence--or give decisions of violence. Weigh is a figure to express the acts of judges.
in the earth--publicly.
3-5. describe the wicked generally, who sin naturally, easily, malignantly, and stubbornly.
6. He prays for their destruction, under the figure of ravenous beasts ([Psa 3:7]; ).
7. which run continually--literally, "they shall go to themselves," utterly depart, as rapid mountain torrents.
he bendeth ... his arrows--prepares it. The term for preparing a bow applied to arrows ([Psa 64:3]).
let them ... pieces--literally, "as if they cut themselves off"--that is, become blunted and of no avail.
8-9. Other figures of this utter ruin; the last denoting rapidity. In a shorter time than pots feel the heat of thorns on fire--
10-11. wash ... wicked--denoting great slaughter. The joy of triumph over the destruction of the wicked is because they are God's enemies, and their overthrow shows that He reigneth (compare Psa 52:5-7; 54:). In this assurance let heaven and earth rejoice ([Psa 96:10]; , &c.).
Psalm 59
Psa 59:1-17. See on Psa 57:1, title, and for history, 1Sa 19:11, &c. The scope is very similar to that of the fifty-seventh: prayer in view of malicious and violent foes, and joy in prospect of relief
1. defend me--(Compare Margin).
rise up ... me--(Compare [Psa 17:7]).
2. (Compare [Psa 5:5]; ).
4-5. prepare, &c.--literally, "set themselves as in array."
awake--(Compare [Psa 3:7]; ), appeals to God in His covenant relation to His people ([Psa 9:18]).
6-7. They are as ravening dogs seeking prey, and as such,
belch out--that is, slanders, their impudent barkings.
8. (Compare [Psa 2:4]; 37:13).
9. By judicious expositors, and on good grounds, this is better rendered, "O my strength, on Thee will I wait" ([Psa 59:17]).
defence--(Compare [Psa 18:3]).
10. prevent me--([Psa 21:3]).
see my desire--in their overthrow ([Psa 54:7]).
enemies--as in [Psa 5:8].
11. Slay them not--at once ([Jud 2:21-23]); but perpetuate their punishment ([Ge 4:12]; [Nu 32:13]), by scattering or making them wander, and humble them.
12. let them even be ... taken in their pride--while evincing it--that is, to be punished for their lies, &c.
13. Though delayed for wise reasons, the utter destruction of the wicked must come at last, and God's presence and power in and for His Church will be known abroad ([1Sa 17:46]; [Psa 46:10], ).
14-15. Meanwhile let the rapacious dogs prowl, they cannot hurt the pious; yea, they shall wander famished and sleepless.
16-17. Contrast the lot of God's servant, who employs his time in God's praise.
sing aloud ... in the morning--when they retire famishing and disappointed, or it may denote delightful diligence in praise, as in [Psa 30:5].
Psalm 60
Psa 60:1-12. Shushan-eduth--Lily of testimony. The lily is an emblem of beauty (see on Psa 45:1, title). As a description of the Psalm, those terms combined may denote a beautiful poem, witnessing--that is, for God's faithfulness as evinced in the victories referred to in the history cited. Aram-naharaim--Syria of the two rivers, or Mesopotamia beyond the river (Euphrates) (2Sa 10:16). Aram-zobah--Syria of Zobah (2Sa 10:6), to whose king the king of the former was tributary. The war with Edom, by Joab and Abishai (2Ch 18:12, 25), occurred about the same time. Probably, while doubts and fears alternately prevailed respecting the issue of these wars, the writer composed this Psalm, in which he depicts, in the language of God's people, their sorrows under former disasters, offers prayer in present straits, and rejoices in confident hope of triumph by God's aid
1-3. allude to disasters.
cast ... off--in scorn ([Psa 43:2]; ).
scattered--broken our strength (compare [2Sa 5:20]).
Oh, turn thyself--or, "restore to us" (prosperity). The figures of physical, denote great civil, commotions ([Psa 46:2], ).
4-5. Yet to God's banner they will rally, and pray that, led and sustained by His power (right hand, [Psa 17:7]; ), they may be safe.
6-10. God hath spoken in--or, "by."
his holiness--([Psa 89:35]; [Am 4:2]), on the pledge of His attributes ([Psa 22:3]; ). Taking courage from God's promise to give them possession ([Ex 23:31]; [De 11:24]) (and perhaps renewed to him by special revelation), with triumphant joy he describes the conquest as already made.
Shechem, and ... Succoth--as widely separated points, and--
11-12. Hence he closes with a prayer for success, and an assurance of a hearing.