Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Psalms

Psalms 
Day 
Day 197

Psalm 59:1a "Deliver me from my enemies, O my God..."

Day 197 – Psalm 59

“Deliver me from my enemies, O my God…” Psalm 59:1a

SUPERSCRIPTION

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do not destroy.” A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The historical context is strongly suggested by this superscription. This context may be traced to 1 Samuel 17-19. In summary we may note the following features:-

1. King Saul’s initial regard for David

a) David found favour with King Saul after defeating Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
b) He was retained by the king and was given a significant military position (1 Samuel 18:5).

2. Change of Attitude of King Saul

a) A folk song sung by the women praised David above King Saul (1 Samuel 18:7-8).
b) This caused the king to be angry with David (1 Samuel 18:8).
c) King Saul began to have bouts of manic depression where he becomes murderous- 1 Samuel 18:9-11 (David escaped death on two occasions).
d) Saul degenerated from anger to fear of David (1 Samuel 18:12, 15, 29).

3. Attempts to kill David

a) By offering his daughter Michal to David (“as a snare”) – 1 Samuel 18:20-21.
b) The bridal dowry consisted battling the Philistines successfully (1 Samuel 18:20-27).
c) An attempt to get Prince Jonathan to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1).
d) He also instructed his servants to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1).

4. With special reference to the superscription of Psalm 59.

a) King Saul make one more attempt to kill David with a spear (1 Samuel 19:9-10).
b) David fled from Saul’s presence to his own home (1 Samuel 19:10).
c) King Saul dispatched “messengers” to slay David (1 Samuel 19:11).
d) David escaped death once again, this time aided by his wife Michal (1 Samuel 19:11-17).