Log inSign up

Psalm 59 · a question people ask

"Not for my disobedience, nor for my sin" (59:3). Is the psalmist saying he has never sinned?

In the text

The verses say what this attack is not for: "The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, LORD" (59:3), and "I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me" (59:4). They speak of why these men have gathered against him, and they don't say more than that. The same two Hebrew nouns, pesha (disobedience) and chatta't (sin), are confessed in Psalm 51, titled for the time "when Nathan the prophet came to him" (Psalm 51:1): "For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me" (Psalm 51:3). In 1 Samuel, before the night the title names, Jonathan said to Saul of David, "he has not sinned against you" (1 Samuel 19:4). Psalm 7's notes ask the same question of "Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness" (Psalm 7:8), and Psalms 17 and 26 of their own verses; these notes don't repeat them. These verses stand side by side, and these notes don't choose how they fit together.

The verses

“For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, LORD. I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!”
Psalm 59:3-4 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 51:1 · World English Bible
“For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.”
Psalm 51:3 · World English Bible
“Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you;”
1 Samuel 19:4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 59

Psalm 59: God is my high tower

Psalm 59's title says "they watched the house to kill him" (59:1), and in the middle the psalmist says to God, "I watch for you" (59:9): the same Hebrew verb. Its refrains come back changed: the dogs return at evening (59:6, 59:14), and at the end the watching has become singing, in the morning, to God, "my high tower" (59:16-17).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 59 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 59

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions