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Illustration for Psalm 59: Deliver Me From Enemies

Psalm 59

Deliver Me From Enemies

When AfraidComfortCourage

David's enemies were surrounding his house, waiting to catch him. But he ran to God — his strong tower and fortress. God is a shield that no enemy can get through. David chose to sing about God's strength instead of being afraid.

  1. 1Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
  2. 2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men.
  3. 3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
  4. 4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
  5. 5You are the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel. Rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. Selah
  6. 6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
  7. 7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, "Who can hear us?"
  8. 8But You laugh at them, LORD; You scoff at all those nations.
  9. 9You are my strength, I watch for You; You, God, are my fortress,
  10. 10my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and let me gloat over those who slander me.
  11. 11But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In Your might uproot them and bring them down.
  12. 12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,
  13. 13consume them in Your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
  14. 14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
  15. 15They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.
  16. 16But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
  17. 17You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

What it means

David's enemies were literally waiting outside his house. Instead of pretending to be brave, he ran to God and called Him a strong tower and a fortress. When something frightening is close by, the safest thing you can do is run toward God, not away from Him.

A little prayer

God, when trouble feels close and I am frightened, You are my strong tower. I am running to You. Thank You that no enemy can get through Your shield around me. Amen.

Memory verse

“But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

Psalm 59:16 (BSB)

It is the promise made for the morning, by someone still in the middle of the night.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David's house was being watched by people who wanted to hurt him. What would that feel like at night?
  2. He calls God a strong tower. What is a tower for?
  3. The psalm says he will sing of God's strength in the morning. Why the morning?
  4. What helps you get through a long night?

Try this

Build a tower

Build the tallest tower you can from blocks or books, then try to knock it over from the side. Talk about what makes a tower strong, and read verse 9.

You will need: Blocks, books or boxes.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)