Deep Dive

Psalms 59:3

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See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

Deep dive References (12)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 3

This psalm is of the same nature and scope with six or seven foregoing psalms; they are all filled with David's complaints of the malice of his enemies and of their cursed and cruel designs against him, his prayers and prophecies against them, and his comfort and confidence in God as his God. The first is the language of nature, and may be allowed; the second of a prophetical spirit, looking forward to Christ and the enemies of his kingdom, and therefore not to be drawn into a precedent; the third of grace and a most holy faith, which ought to be imitated by every one of us. In this psalm, I. He prays to God to defend and deliver him from his enemies, representing them as very bad men, barbarous, malicious, and atheistical (Psa 59:1-7). II. He foresees and foretels the destruction of his enemies, which he would give to God the glory of (Psa 59:8-17). As far as it appears that any of the particular enemies of God's people fall under these characters, we may, in singing this psalm, read their doom and foresee their ruin. To the chief musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when Saul sent and they watched the house to kill him.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 3

אָרַב (ʼârab, H693) — to lurk נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 56:6rank 9

They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Psalms 69:4rank 7

Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me— my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

I Samuel 24:11rank 6

See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

Proverbs 12:6rank 5

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

John 15:25rank 5

But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’

Micah 7:2rank 4

The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.

Psalms 38:12rank 3

Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.

Acts 23:21rank 3

Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

I Samuel 26:18rank 3

And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?

Psalms 2:2rank 3

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Commentaries

Original language

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