Psalm 59:6-10

In the second part [verses 6-10] of the first section of Psalm 59 [verses 1-10], the composer describes the persistent efforts of her of his enemies to destroy her or him and her or his faithful companions [verses 6-7], but then declares her or his unwavering trust in Yahweh to intervene and triumph over those enemies [verses 8-10]:

"Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
with sharp swords on their lips--
for 'Who,' they think, 'will hear us?'
BUT YOU laugh at them, O Lord;
you hold all the nations in derision.
O my strength, I will watch for you;
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies."

1. It is very common in the Bible to compare wicked enemies of God's people with ravenous animals: lions, bears, dogs, etc. See 1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; Psalms 7:2; 10:9; 17:12; 22:12-13, 16, 20; Isaiah 56:11; Jeremiah 5:3; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Philippians 3:2. Such people, like ravenous beasts, are always "on the prowl," looking for vulnerable prey to devour (see Psalm 55:9-11).
2. The psalmist's enemies are evil through and through. Their evil comes from their hearts ("they treacherously PLOT evil": verse 5), and expresses itself in their deeds ("they WORK evil": verse 2) and in their speech ("they bellow with their MOUTHS, with sharp WORDS on their LIPS": verse 7). The Bible frequently compares the speech or words of the wicked with "sharp swords": Psalms 22:20-21; 55:20-21; 64:2-3; Proverbs 5:3-4.
3. The wicked assume naively that they can "get by with murder," that they have plotted their words and actions so cleverly and completely that no one will be able to detect what they are doing and hold them accountable. They say assuredly: "Who will hear us?" "God will not seek it out;" "God will never see it" (Psalms 10:4, 11; 73:11; 94:6-7; Jeremiah 12:4).
4. God "laughs" scornfully at those who think they can prevail against him and his people (see Psalm 2:4). This is the kind of "laugh" which means: "That will be the day," or "You have to be kidding me," or "This will never happen."
5. Even against strong and malicious enemies, the psalmist can be certain of triumph because God is his "strength" and his "fortress" (see Psalms 9:9; 18:2; 46:1, 7, 11; Proverbs 18:10).
6. God's intervention to save the psalmist and his comrades is a clear manifestation of his "steadfast love" (verses 10, 16-17; see Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 85:7, 10; 86:5, 15; 89:1-4; 103:8; 117:1-2; 145:8; and often).
Our God is the only safe refuge. May we run to him under all circumstances for protection and deliverance.

John Willis