Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. 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,
The request to "scatter" the enemies suggests a desire for their disbandment and confusion rather than their immediate destruction. This reflects a strategic approach to dealing with adversaries, ensuring they are rendered ineffective. The scattering of enemies is a recurring theme in the Psalms and other parts of the Old Testament, symbolizing God's ability to disrupt the plans of the wicked (Psalm 68:1). The phrase "by Your power" emphasizes reliance on divine intervention rather than human strength, a common motif in David's life and writings (1 Samuel 17:47). and bring them down,
This phrase calls for the humiliation and defeat of the enemies, ensuring they are brought low from their positions of power. The imagery of being "brought down" is often used in the Psalms to describe God's judgment against the proud and wicked (Psalm 55:23). It reflects the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). Historically, David experienced God's deliverance from his enemies, reinforcing his trust in God's ability to humble those who oppose His anointed. O Lord, our shield.
Referring to God as "our shield" conveys a deep trust in His protection and defense. The shield is a powerful symbol of God's safeguarding presence, frequently used in the Psalms to describe His role as a protector (Psalm 3:3). This imagery would have been particularly resonant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where shields were essential for survival in battle. The personal and communal aspect of "our shield" indicates that this protection is not only for David but for all who trust in God. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where faith is described as a shield against spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:16). 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. SaulThe first king of Israel, who became jealous of David and sought to kill him. His actions are the backdrop for this psalm. 3. EnemiesThe 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. IsraelThe 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 RemembranceRemembering God's past deliverance strengthens our faith. We should recount His deeds to avoid spiritual amnesia. Prayer for DeliveranceLike 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 ShieldGod is our ultimate protector. In times of trouble, we should rely on Him as our shield and refuge. The Role of MercyEven 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. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of David's life enhance our interpretation of Psalm 59:11? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of God as our "shield" in our daily lives? 3. How does the theme of remembrance in Psalm 59:11 relate to other biblical passages that emphasize the importance of remembering God's works? 4. What can we learn from David's approach to dealing with his enemies that can be applied to conflicts in our own lives? 5. How does the balance between justice and mercy in this verse reflect the character of God, and how can we emulate this balance in our interactions with others? 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 18:2This verse also refers to God as a shield, emphasizing His protective nature. Deuteronomy 32:27This passage speaks to the idea of God not destroying His enemies completely so that His people will remember His power and justice. Proverbs 21:30-31These verses highlight the futility of human plans against God's will, reinforcing the theme of divine protection and sovereignty. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Bring, Death, Directions, Forget, Fro, Kill, Lest, Low, Memory, O, Power, Saviour, Scatter, Shake, Shield, Slay, Strength, Totter, WanderDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:11 1230 God, the Lord 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 59:11 NIVPsalm 59:11 NLTPsalm 59:11 ESVPsalm 59:11 NASBPsalm 59:11 KJV
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