Save Me

Psalm 59--The Holiness of the Imprecatory Psalm

I. Times Can Be Rough

A. What should a believer do when the secret police wait to kill; here is David’s answer. “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.” (Psalm 59:1)

B. David passed the problem up the line; God can deal with bullies and murderers. “Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.” (Psalm 59:2)

C. Evil behavior sometimes needs no motivation beyond the bad character of the perpetrators; sin is a common feature of life. “For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.” (Psalm 59:3)

D. David asked God to put a stop to the people who hurried to do evil. “They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.” (Psalm 59:4-5)

II. God Laughs When Evil Howls

A. The howls of evildoers are as ineffective as dogs baying at the moon. “They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.” (Psalm 59:6)

B. Evildoers act as though no one big enough to stop them were listening. “Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?” (Psalm 59:7)

C. The last laugh is the best laugh and that one belongs to God. “But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.” (Psalm 59:8)

D. Believers can relax because they will laugh with God; He and His love are so much larger than the trials of life. “Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.” (Psalm 59:9-10) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

III. Take a Stand for Justice

A. David wanted justice but he did not want it to come so fast people would fail to understand that God was executing sentences. “Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.” (Psalm 59:11)

B. It is in the common interest for people to see the just reward for cruel words and curses; sinful pride is a self-disabling and destructive fault. “For 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.” (Psalm 59:12)

C. When justice consumes evil, people know that God is ultimately in charge. “Consume 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.” (Psalm 59:13)

IV. Praise the Defender God

A. When the evildoers return and howl, remember that they are stressed because God will not let them have what they want; do not be fearful of their punishment. “And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.” (Psalm 59:14-15)

B. The dark times will end and morning will return so the righteous can sing of God’s Providential mercy and protection. “But 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.” (Psalm 59:16)

C. Sing so everyone understands that believers are safe in the care of the Lord. “Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.” (Psalm 59:17) “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” (1 Samuel 17:37)