Psalm 59

Psalms · Chapter 59

Psalms 59:3

1Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.2Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.4They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.5Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.6They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?8But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.9Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.10The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.11Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.12For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.13Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.14And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.15Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; The mighty gather themselves together against me: Not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Jehovah.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
forכִּ֤יkiH3588A
for

כִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

here!הִנֵּ֪הhi-NEHH2009
behold

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) behold, lo, see, if

they lie in waitאָֽרְב֡וּ'a-re-VUH0693
to ambush

אָרַב (a.rav) 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush

for life myלְנַפְשִׁ֗יle-naf-SHIH5315H
soul

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

they stir up troubleיָג֣וּרוּya-GU-ruH1481B
to quarrel

גּוּר (gur) 1) to stir up trouble, strife, quarrel, gather together 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stir up strife 1a2) to quarrel 1b) (Hithpolel) to excite oneself

on meעָלַ֣י'a-LAIH5921A
upon

עַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) …

fierce [people]עַזִ֑ים'a-ZIMH5794
strong

עַז (az) strong, mighty, fierce

notלֹא־lo'-H3808
not

לֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

transgression myפִשְׁעִ֖יfish-'IH6588
transgression

פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) 1) transgression, rebellion 1a1) transgression (against individuals) 1a2) transgression (nation against nation) 1a3) transgression (against God) 1a3a) in general 1a3b) as recognised by sinner 1a3c) as God deals with it 1a3d) as God forgives 1a4) guilt of transgression 1a5) punishment for transgression 1a6) offering for transgression

and notוְלֹא־ve-lo'-H3808
not

לֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

sin myחַטָּאתִ֣יcha-ta-TIH2403B
sin

חַטָּאת (chat.tat) : sin 1) sin, sin offering 1a) sin 1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin 1c) punishment for sin 1d) sin-offering 1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness

O Yahwehיְהוָֽה׃YAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.