Psalms 59:11
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִשְׁכְּח֬וּ
forget
H7911
יִשְׁכְּח֬וּ
forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 10
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
עַמִּ֗י
them not lest my people
H5971
עַמִּ֗י
them not lest my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הֲנִיעֵ֣מוֹ
scatter
H5128
הֲנִיעֵ֣מוֹ
scatter
Strong's:
H5128
Word #:
6 of 10
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
בְ֭חֵילְךָ
them by thy power
H2428
בְ֭חֵילְךָ
them by thy power
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
7 of 10
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וְהוֹרִידֵ֑מוֹ
and bring them down
H3381
וְהוֹרִידֵ֑מוֹ
and bring them down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 10
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Cross References
Psalms 3:3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.Revelation 9:6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.Psalms 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.Job 40:12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.Deuteronomy 4:27And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.Luke 21:21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Historical Context
This principle manifested in God's treatment of Canaanites—gradual dispossession (Exodus 23:29-30) taught Israel dependence. Similarly, Saul's decline was gradual, serving as public testimony to the consequences of rejecting God's word.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's use of gradual judgment rather than instant destruction teach about His purposes?
- How does the defeat of God's enemies serve the spiritual formation of believers?
Analysis & Commentary
David's prayer 'Slay them not' requests judgment that demonstrates God's power without immediate annihilation. 'Lest my people forget' reveals pedagogical purpose—gradual judgment teaches ongoing dependence on God. 'Scatter them' and 'bring them down' depict sustained divine discipline rather than instant destruction, mirroring God's patience in redemptive history.