Psalms 59:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָֽה
Thou therefore O LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה
Thou therefore O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
God
H430
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
צְבָא֡וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֡וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
God
H430
אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִפְקֹ֥ד
to visit
H6485
לִפְקֹ֥ד
to visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
8 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
all the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
all the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
10 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
11 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תָּחֹ֨ן
be not merciful
H2603
תָּחֹ֨ן
be not merciful
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֹּ֖גְדֵי
transgressors
H898
בֹּ֖גְדֵי
transgressors
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
14 of 16
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
Historical Context
Calling on the 'God of hosts' (armies) emphasizes God's sovereign power over earthly forces. The 'heathen' may reference Saul's men acting like pagans despite being Israelites, or anticipate David's later conflicts with surrounding nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's covenant names inform specific prayer requests?
- What is the relationship between praying for mercy on some and judgment on others?
Analysis & Commentary
David invokes God's covenant name (YHWH) and titles (God of hosts, God of Israel) to ground his appeal in specific promises. 'Awake to visit all the heathen' broadens from personal deliverance to universal judgment. The request to not 'be merciful to any wicked transgressors' seems harsh but reflects covenant justice—persistent rebels warrant judgment.