Psalm 59:14
New International Version
They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

New Living Translation
My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.

English Standard Version
Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

Berean Standard Bible
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

King James Bible
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

New King James Version
And at evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.

New American Standard Bible
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And prowl around the city.

NASB 1995
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city.

NASB 1977
And they return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city.

Legacy Standard Bible
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city.

Amplified Bible
They return at evening, they howl and snarl like dogs, And go [prowling] around the city.

Christian Standard Bible
And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

American Standard Version
And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog, And go round about the city.

Contemporary English Version
Those liars return at evening, growling like dogs roaming the city.

English Revised Version
And at evening let them return, let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They return in the evening. They howl like dogs. They prowl the city.

Good News Translation
My enemies come back in the evening, snarling like dogs as they go about the city,

International Standard Version
At night they return like howling dogs; they prowl around the city.

Majority Standard Bible
They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

NET Bible
They return in the evening; they growl like a dog and prowl around outside the city.

New Heart English Bible
At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.

World English Bible
At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they return at evening, "" They make a noise like a dog, "" And they go around the city.

Young's Literal Translation
And they turn back at evening, They make a noise like a dog, And they go round about the city.

Smith's Literal Translation
They shall turn back at evening; they shall make a noise as a dog, and they will surround the city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They will return toward evening, and they will suffer hunger like dogs, and they will wander around the city.

New American Bible
Each evening they return, growling like dogs, prowling the city.

New Revised Standard Version
Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like dogs, and go round about the city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They shall be turned back in the evening and they will growl like dogs and will surround the city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They shall return at evening, and be hungry as a dog, and go round about the city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deliver Me From My Enemies
13Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. 15They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.…

Cross References
Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

2 Peter 2:22
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Psalm 22:16
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

Psalm 22:13
They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Psalm 42:3
My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 42:10
Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 55:10
Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.

Psalm 57:6
They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah

Psalm 64:7-8
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded. / They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.

Psalm 73:6-9
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. / From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. / They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. ...

Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Psalm 94:4
They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

Psalm 94:21
They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.


Treasury of Scripture

And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

at evening

Psalm 59:6
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

Psalm 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

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City Dog Dogs Evening Howl Howling Noise Prowl Prowling Round Snarling Turn
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City Dog Dogs Evening Howl Howling Noise Prowl Prowling Round Snarling Turn
Psalm 59
1. David prays to be delivered from his enemies
6. He complains of their cruelty
8. He trusts in god
11. He prays against them
16. He praises God














They return in the evening
This phrase suggests a recurring pattern of behavior, indicating persistence and determination. In the biblical context, evening often symbolizes a time of vulnerability and danger, as darkness falls and visibility decreases. This imagery is used throughout the Psalms to convey a sense of threat or impending trouble (e.g., Psalm 91:5-6). The evening return of the enemies highlights their relentless pursuit and the ongoing nature of the threat faced by the psalmist, traditionally understood to be David. Historically, cities in ancient Israel were more vulnerable at night, as the absence of light made it easier for enemies to approach undetected.

snarling like dogs
In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were not typically seen as beloved pets but rather as scavengers and symbols of impurity. The comparison to dogs emphasizes the aggressiveness and unclean nature of the enemies. This imagery is used to depict the enemies' hostility and their lowly, contemptible status. The snarling suggests a threatening and intimidating presence, akin to a pack of wild animals ready to attack. This metaphor is also found in other parts of Scripture, such as Philippians 3:2, where Paul warns against "dogs" as a metaphor for false teachers.

and prowling around the city
The act of prowling indicates stealth and a predatory nature, suggesting that the enemies are seeking an opportunity to strike. This behavior is reminiscent of a siege, where enemies would encircle a city, looking for weaknesses in its defenses. The city, likely Jerusalem in the context of David's life, represents a place of refuge and safety, now under threat. This imagery of encirclement and danger is echoed in other biblical passages, such as 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is described as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. The prowling enemies serve as a type of the spiritual adversaries that believers face, highlighting the need for vigilance and reliance on God's protection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of the psalm, who is seeking deliverance from his enemies. This psalm is attributed to David during a time when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

2. Enemies
The adversaries of David, often representing those who oppose God's anointed and righteous people. They are depicted as relentless and vicious, like snarling dogs.

3. City
Likely referring to Jerusalem or a similar setting where David's enemies are prowling. The city represents a place of both refuge and threat, depending on the presence of enemies.

4. Evening
The time of day when the enemies return, symbolizing a period of darkness and danger, often associated with evil deeds.

5. Dogs
In the cultural context, dogs were not seen as pets but as scavengers, symbolizing impurity and aggression. This imagery is used to describe the nature of David's enemies.
Teaching Points
Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare
Just as David's enemies returned in the evening, believers must be vigilant against spiritual attacks that can come at unexpected times.

Trust in God's Protection
Despite the prowling enemies, David's psalm is ultimately a declaration of trust in God's deliverance. Believers can find comfort in God's protection against adversaries.

Recognizing the Nature of Opposition
Understanding the nature of our spiritual enemies, as depicted by the imagery of snarling dogs, helps us to be prepared and rely on God's strength.

Prayer as a Response to Threats
David's response to his enemies is to turn to God in prayer. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's help in times of trouble.

The Reality of Evil
The psalm acknowledges the presence and persistence of evil in the world, reminding believers to remain steadfast in faith and righteousness.Verses 14-17. - David here turns back from the future fate of his enemies to their present condition,and repeats ver. 7 verbatim. He thus reminds himself of his existing danger; he is still being sought - they are still in quest of their prey, and will continue so till morning comes (ver. 15). But in the morning he will be gone - he will have escaped them. Upon this thought occurring, he raises a renewed thanksgiving to God (vers. 16, 17) Verse 14. - And at evening let them return; rather, they return, as in ver. 6. And let them make a noise like a dog; rather, they make a noise. And go round about the city. Keeping their watch upon me.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They return
וְיָשׁ֣וּבוּ (wə·yā·šū·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

in the evening,
לָ֭עֶרֶב (lā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

snarling
יֶהֱמ֥וּ (ye·hĕ·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

like dogs
כַכָּ֗לֶב (ḵak·kā·leḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute

and prowling around
וִיס֥וֹבְבוּ (wî·sō·wḇ·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the city.
עִֽיר׃ (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Poetry: Psalm 59:14 At evening let them return (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 59:13
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