Psalm 59:4 KJV,ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 59:1-7

The title of this psalm acquaints us particularly with the occasion on which it was penned; it was when Saul sent a party of his guards to beset David's house in the night, that they might seize him and kill him; we have the story 1 Sam. 19:11. It was when his hostilities against David were newly begun, and he had but just before narrowly escaped Saul's javelin. These first eruptions of Saul's malice could not but put David into disorder and be both grievous and terrifying, and yet he kept up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:4

They run and prepare themselves without my fault ,.... Or, "without sin in me "; or "without punishment in them "; so the same word is rendered, 1 Samuel 28:10 . "They run", in an hostile manner, "against me", as the Syriac version adds; or like dogs up and down, about the city, to find him and kill him; see Psalm 59:7 . Or this may denote their readiness and swiftness to shed blood, Proverbs 1:16 ; "and prepare themselves" with weapon, with instruments of death, as the men did... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:4

They run and prepare themselves - They leave no stone unturned that they may effect my destruction and prevent the building. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:4

Verse 4 4.Awake to hasten for my help, and behold. In using this language, he glances at the eagerness with which his enemies, as he had already said, were pressing upon him, and states his desire that God would show the same haste in extending help as they did in seeking his destruction. With the view of conciliating the divine favor, he once more calls upon God to be the witness and judge of his cause, adding,and behold The expression is one which savours at once of faith and of the infirmity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

It is generally agreed that the composition divides into four portions, two of them closed by the pause mark, "Selah," and the other two by a refrain. It thus consists of four strophes, the first of five verses ( 1 Samuel 19:1-5 ), and the other three of four verses each ( 1 Samuel 19:6-9 , 1 Samuel 19:10-13 , and 1 Samuel 19:14-17 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

Waiting upon God. There are expressions in this psalm which sound harsh and cruel, and which Christians would shrink from using. But, on the other hand, there is much here that comes home to our experience, and that is helpful and comforting in the great trials of life. It is something to know that good men have suffered affliction before us—that they have been falsely accused and foully wronged, that they have felt the pangs of grief and the bitterness of disappointment, and that they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:4

They run and prepare themselves without my fault; or, "establish themselves"—"take up their position" (so Hengstenberg, Kay, and Professor Cheyne). Awake to help me (see the comment on Psalms 44:23 ). And behold; i.e. "see how things are—how innocent I am; how unjust and cruel are my enemies!" read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:4

They run and prepare themselves - That is, they “hasten” to accomplish this; they are quick to obey the command of Saul requiring them to slay me. The word “prepare” refers to whatever was deemed necessary to enable them to accomplish what they had been commanded to do - arming themselves, making provision for their journey, etc.Without my fault - That is, without anything on my part to deserve this, or to justify Saul and those employed by him in what they attempt to do. David, in all this,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:4

Psalms 59:4. They run To and fro, first to receive Saul’s commands, and then to execute them with all diligence; and prepare themselves With the utmost speed and fury, to do me a mischief; or, they dispose themselves, as יכוננו , jeconanu, may be properly rendered. They place themselves here and there about my house, that they may catch me when I go out of it. Awake to my help Hebrew, לקראתי , likraati, to meet me, as I come abroad, and to conduct me away with safety. And behold ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

Psalms 59:0 Wild dogsAt the time of writing this psalm, David had not yet fled to Gath and Adullam. He was still at Saul’s court, but his repeated military successes stirred up Saul’s jealousy, resulting in another attempt by Saul to spear him (1 Samuel 19:1-10). David escaped to the safety of his own house. Saul then laid a plot to murder him at his home, and David escaped only narrowly (1 Samuel 19:11-17). This psalm concerns the attempt on David’s life at his house.The psalm opens with a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 59:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 59:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 59:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 59:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 59:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 59:1-17

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