To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

PSALMS 59:1KJV
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Psalms 59:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 59:1 mean?

Psalms 59:1 is a prayer in which David urgently asks God to save him from his enemies and protect him from those who are trying to harm him. The verse shows David turning to God for help when he is in real danger, specifically when people have been sent to watch his house and kill him.

David is the speaker, and the situation comes from a time when King Saul sent men to watch David’s house with the intent to kill him. The verse captures David’s fear and his trust in God’s power to deliver and defend him. The language is direct and desperate, reflecting a moment of real threat and dependence on God for rescue.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 59:1

  • נָצַל (natsal; H5337) — "Deliver": This word means to snatch away or rescue, emphasizing David’s need for urgent and complete saving from his enemies.
  • אֹיֵב (oyev; H341) — "enemies": This word points to those who are actively hostile, not just people who dislike David but those who are seeking his harm.
  • שָׂגַב (sagav; H7682) — "defend": This word carries the sense of setting someone in a high, safe place, highlighting David’s desire not just for rescue but for secure protection.
  • קוּם (qum; H6965) — "rise up": This word means to stand or rise, describing the aggressive action of those coming against David.

Why Psalms 59:1 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s plea is not general but comes from a specific, life-threatening event, making his words more personal and urgent.
  • The use of words like "deliver" and "defend" shows that David is asking for both immediate rescue and ongoing protection, not just escape from a single moment.
  • Understanding the historical setting (Saul’s men watching David’s house) connects this psalm to a real episode in David’s life, grounding his prayer in lived experience and not just abstract fear.

Where else these words appear

“Altaschith” Hebrew H516 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Psalms 75:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

“Michtam” Hebrew H4387 · used in 6 verses

  • Psalms 16:1 Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
  • Psalms 56:1 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

“defend” Hebrew H7682 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
  • Psalms 107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
  • Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

“Musician” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 22:1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
  • Psalms 61:1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.