Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. New Living Translation Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield. English Standard Version Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! Berean Standard Bible Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. King James Bible Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. New King James Version Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, And bring them down, O Lord our shield. New American Standard Bible Do not kill them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power and bring them down, Lord, our shield. NASB 1995 Do not slay them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. NASB 1977 Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. Legacy Standard Bible Do not slay them, or my people will forget; Make them wander about by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. Amplified Bible Do not kill them, or my people will forget; Scatter them and make them wander [endlessly] back and forth by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield! Christian Standard Bible Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield. Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By Your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield. American Standard Version Slay them not, lest my people forget: Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. Contemporary English Version Don't kill them, or everyone may forget! Just use your mighty power to make them tremble and fall. You are a shield for your people. English Revised Version Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. GOD'S WORD® Translation Do not kill them. Otherwise, my people may forget. Make them wander aimlessly by your power. Bring them down, O Lord, our shield, Good News Translation Do not kill them, O God, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your strength and defeat them, O Lord, our protector. International Standard Version Don't kill them! Otherwise, my people may forget. By your power make them stumble around; bring them down low, Lord, our Shield. Majority Standard Bible Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. NET Bible Do not strike them dead suddenly, because then my people might forget the lesson. Use your power to make them homeless vagabonds and then bring them down, O Lord who shields us! New Heart English Bible Do not kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield. Webster's Bible Translation Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. World English Bible Don’t kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo not slay them, lest my people forget, "" Shake them by Your strength, "" And bring them down, O Lord our shield. Young's Literal Translation Slay them not, lest my people forget, Shake them by Thy strength, And bring them down, O Lord our shield. Smith's Literal Translation Thou wilt not kill them lest my people shall forget: cause them to wander to and fro by thy strength, and bring them down, O Jehovah, our shield. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGod shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. Scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord, my protector: Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Slay them not, God, lest they deceive my people. Shake them by your power; Lord, our shield, bring them down. New Revised Standard Version Do not kill them, or my people may forget; make them totter by your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSpare them for a living example, lest my people forget; but scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, O LORD my hope. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Do not kill them, lest my people forget, but shake them by your power and chase them LORD JEHOVAH, my trust. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Slay them not, lest my people forget, Make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. Brenton Septuagint Translation Slay them not, lest they forget thy law; scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord, my defender. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Deliver Me From My Enemies…10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes. 11Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. 12By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.… Cross References Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. Exodus 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 1 Samuel 17:46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 2 Kings 19:19 And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” Isaiah 37:20 And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” Ezekiel 25:14 I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’ Jeremiah 10:24 Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice—not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing. 1 Samuel 24:12 May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. 1 Samuel 26:10 David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 1 Peter 2:23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. Revelation 6:10 And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” Treasury of Scripture Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by your power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. Slay Genesis 4:12-15 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth… Judges 1:6,7 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes… Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. scatter Psalm 44:11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. Psalm 52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. Leviticus 26:33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. bring Job 40:12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. our shield Psalm 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Jump to Previous Death Directions Forget Fro Kill Memory Power Scatter Shake Shield Slay Strength Totter WanderJump to Next Death Directions Forget Fro Kill Memory Power Scatter Shake Shield Slay Strength Totter WanderPsalm 59 1. David prays to be delivered from his enemies6. He complains of their cruelty 8. He trusts in god 11. He prays against them 16. He praises God Do not kill them, or my people will forget. This phrase reflects a plea for God's judgment to be a reminder rather than an obliteration. The psalmist, David, seeks a form of divine justice that serves as a lasting lesson for the people of Israel. In the historical context, David was often pursued by enemies, including King Saul, and he desired that their downfall be a testament to God's power and justice. The concern that "my people will forget" highlights the human tendency to forget God's past deliverances and judgments, as seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., Judges 8:34). This plea aligns with the broader biblical theme of remembrance, where God’s acts are to be remembered and recounted (Deuteronomy 6:12). Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of the psalm, who is seeking God's protection from his enemies. This psalm is traditionally attributed to David during the time when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, who became jealous of David and sought to kill him. His actions are the backdrop for this psalm. 3. Enemies The adversaries of David, likely Saul's men, who are pursuing him. They represent the forces of evil and opposition against God's anointed. 4. God (Yahweh) Referred to as "Lord, our shield," indicating His role as protector and defender of His people. 5. Israel The people of God, who are to remember God's acts of deliverance and justice. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and JusticeGod is in control of all situations, and His justice will prevail. We can trust Him to deal with our enemies in His perfect timing and way. The Importance of Remembrance Remembering God's past deliverance strengthens our faith. We should recount His deeds to avoid spiritual amnesia. Prayer for Deliverance Like David, we should pray for God's intervention in our lives, asking Him to scatter and bring down the forces of evil. God as Our Shield God is our ultimate protector. In times of trouble, we should rely on Him as our shield and refuge. The Role of Mercy Even in seeking justice, we should remember God's mercy. David's request not to kill his enemies outright reflects a desire for them to recognize God's power and possibly repent.(11) Slay them not, lest my people forget . . .--The Spartans refused to allow the destruction of a neighbouring city, which had often called forth their armies, saying, "Destroy not the whetstone of our young men." Timon, in the play, is made to say-- "Live loath'd and long You smiling smooth detested parasites," that the ruin of Athens might be complete, if deferred. National feeling, too, has often insisted on extreme modes of punishment, partly from vindictive feeling, partly for deterrent purposes. Witness the sequel to the Indian mutiny. But where is the parallel to the feeling that seems uppermost in the Psalmist's mind, viz., a wish for protracted retribution on the nations for the moral benefit of Israel? Scatter them.--Better, make them wander: a word applied to Cain and to the Israelite wanderings in the wilderness. Verse 11. - Slay them not, lest my people forget; i.e. my true people - faithful Israel. The psalmist's "first thought is, that by lingering on in life for a while the wicked may be more edifying monuments of the Divine anger" (Cheyne). (For a parallel, see Exodus 9:16.) Scatter them by thy power; or, make them wanderers (comp. Genesis 4:12, 14). It has been often noted that David's curse seems to have passed on to the entire nation of the Jews. And bring them down, O Lord our Shield; i.e. "cast them down from their honourable positions bring them into misery and disgrace - O Lord, who art our Defense and Shield" (comp. Psalm 3:3; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 28:7).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do notאַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not kill them, תַּהַרְגֵ֤ם ׀ (ta·har·ḡêm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent or פֶּֽן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest my people עַמִּ֗י (‘am·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock will forget. יִשְׁכְּח֬וּ (yiš·kə·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention Scatter them הֲנִיעֵ֣מוֹ (hă·nî·‘ê·mōw) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5128: To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter by Your power, בְ֭חֵילְךָ (ḇə·ḥê·lə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength and bring them down, וְהוֹרִידֵ֑מוֹ (wə·hō·w·rî·ḏê·mōw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend O Lord, אֲדֹנָֽי׃ (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord our shield. מָֽגִנֵּ֣נוּ (mā·ḡin·nê·nū) Noun - common singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile Links Psalm 59:11 NIVPsalm 59:11 NLT Psalm 59:11 ESV Psalm 59:11 NASB Psalm 59:11 KJV Psalm 59:11 BibleApps.com Psalm 59:11 Biblia Paralela Psalm 59:11 Chinese Bible Psalm 59:11 French Bible Psalm 59:11 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 59:11 Don't kill them or my people may (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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