O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah O LORD God of HostsThis phrase acknowledges God's supreme authority and power over the heavenly armies. The title "God of Hosts" emphasizes His command over angelic beings and His ability to execute divine judgment. This title is often used in the Old Testament to highlight God's sovereignty and might, as seen in passages like 1 Samuel 1:3 and Isaiah 6:3. It underscores the belief that God is not only the God of Israel but also the ruler of all creation. the God of Israel
This designation affirms the special covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel. It reflects the historical context of God's promises to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and His ongoing commitment to their descendants. This phrase is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His role as the protector and deliverer of Israel, as seen throughout the Old Testament narrative, including the Exodus and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom. rouse Yourself to punish all the nations
Here, the psalmist calls upon God to awaken and take action against the nations. This reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the psalmist seeks divine intervention against enemies. The historical context may relate to the various foreign threats Israel faced, such as the Philistines, Assyrians, or Babylonians. This plea for punishment aligns with prophetic literature, where God is depicted as the judge of all nations, as seen in Isaiah 34:1-2 and Jeremiah 25:31. show no mercy to the wicked traitors
The request for no mercy towards "wicked traitors" highlights the severity of their actions against God and His people. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, betrayal and treachery were seen as grave offenses, often warranting severe consequences. This phrase reflects the psalmist's desire for justice and the eradication of evil, resonating with the imprecatory nature of some Psalms. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of divine justice, where God ultimately deals with sin and rebellion, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15. Selah
The term "Selah" is often found in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. It serves as a moment to contemplate the gravity of the plea for divine intervention and justice. While its exact meaning is uncertain, it underscores the importance of meditation on God's power and righteousness in the face of human wickedness. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, David wrote this psalm during a time of distress when King Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. This context is crucial for understanding the plea for deliverance and justice. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who became envious of David and sought to kill him. His actions are the backdrop for the events leading to the writing of this psalm. 3. EnemiesThe men sent by Saul to kill David. They represent the immediate threat and opposition David faced, symbolizing broader spiritual and physical adversaries. 4. GodReferred to as the "LORD God of Hosts" in this verse, emphasizing His sovereignty and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. 5. NationsMentioned in the verse, they represent the broader scope of God's judgment and authority beyond Israel, indicating that God's justice is universal. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and JusticeRecognize that God is the ultimate judge over all nations and individuals. His justice is perfect and extends beyond human understanding. Prayer in Times of DistressLike David, we should turn to God in prayer when facing adversities, trusting in His power to deliver and protect us. Trust in God's TimingUnderstand that God's timing in dealing with our enemies or difficult situations may not align with our own, but His timing is always perfect. Universal Scope of God's AuthorityAcknowledge that God's authority is not limited to personal situations but extends to all nations and peoples, affirming His global sovereignty. Faith in God's DeliveranceCultivate a faith that trusts in God's ability to deliver us from our enemies, both seen and unseen, as He did for David. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of David's life enhance our interpretation of Psalm 59:5? 2. In what ways can we apply David's example of seeking God's justice in our own lives when we face opposition? 3. How does the concept of God as the "LORD God of Hosts" provide comfort and assurance in times of trouble? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate trust in God's timing and justice in our daily lives? 5. How can we reconcile the call for divine justice in Psalm 59 with the New Testament teaching of loving our enemies? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 19This chapter provides the historical context for Psalm 59, detailing Saul's attempts to kill David and David's subsequent escape. Psalm 46This psalm also emphasizes God's role as a refuge and strength, a theme that resonates with David's plea for deliverance in Psalm 59. Romans 12:19This New Testament passage echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, aligning with David's call for divine justice against his enemies. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Almighty, Arise, Armies, Arouse, Awake, Dealers, Deceit, Evil, Favour, Gracious, Heathen, Hosts, Iniquitous, Iniquity, Inspect, Merciful, Mercy, Nations, None, O, Plot, Plotters, Punish, Punishment, Rouse, Selah, Spare, Thyself, Traitors, Transgressors, Treacherous, Treacherously, Visit, Wicked, Workers, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:5 5969 treachery
6688 mercy, demonstration of God's
8666 praise, manner and methods Psalm 59:5-8 8819 scoffing Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:5 NIVPsalm 59:5 NLTPsalm 59:5 ESVPsalm 59:5 NASBPsalm 59:5 KJV
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