RR Psalm 59:1,2 Part 1

Shalom,

Psalm 59:1 For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when Saul sent men to watch the house to kill him. 2 Deliver me from my enemies, my God! Set me on high, away from those who rise up against me.

David is a hunted man whose only hope is that God will deliver him from his enemies.  What he is writing about here, is a story that is retold in 1Samuel 19.  Specifically, 1Samuel 19:11 Then Saul sent agents to David’s house to watch him, in order to kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him saying, “If you don’t escape for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” 12 So Michal lowered David down through the window, and thus he went, fled and escaped.  Spoiler Alert: God answers David’s prayer for deliverance.  He survives many attempts on his life, and lives to old age.  He died naturally, meaning nobody killed him, though there were many who tried.

This is the third Psalm in a row to start with these words.  Psalm 59:1a For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.  “Do not destroy” in Hebrew is “Al Tash’chet” which was probably the opening words to a popular tune in David’s time.  It is likely a musical designation, containing implied instructions to the conductor of the worship team related to the singing or instrumentation of the poem.

Rabbi’s Note:  Psalm 75 is a fourth “Al Tash’chet” but it is of Asaph.  End RN.

In David’s initial petition before God, he asks for two things: “deliver me,” and “set me on high.”  In transliterated Hebrew, “Hatzi’lay’ni” and “T’sag’vay’ni” respectively.  (Hebrew is naturally poetic due to the similar structures of words, especially the same prefixes and suffixes.)  To be delivered is to be set free.  It is a word that figures prominently in the Passover story.  

To be set high includes the figurative understanding of being exalted. Ultimately, it is not us who will be set up high, but Yeshua….  Isaiah 2:17 The pride of man will be humbled, the arrogance of men abased, for Adonai alone will be exalted in that day. 18 The idols will completely pass away.  Oh, did I leave out the fact that we will be seated in high places together with Him?  

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He made us alive together with Messiah. (By grace you have been saved!) 6 And He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua.  Deliverance from our enemies and seated together with Yeshua!  What could be better?  Paul is quoting Isaiah 64:3(4)…

1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, “Things no eye has seen and no ear has heard, that have not entered the heart of mankind—these things God has prepared for those who love Him.”  

Shalom shalom.

Tue21-July 20267th of Av, 5786
De 4:5-40Ez 311 Ch 101 Th 2  (Jn 1:29-51)