Seder 9: Psalm 59---Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

 Psalm 59 is one of the six Psalms labeled a "miktam."  It is also one of four psalms to be sung "according to Do Not Destroy" (Ps 57-59, 75).  

The psalm's superscription connects it to the time when Saul sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him (1 Sa 19:11).  In that situation God delivered David through the help of Jonathan and Michal.  Accordingly, the midrash on Psalm 59 recalls Ecclesiastes 4:12, which says, "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him---a threefold cord is not quickly broken." The midrash also reflects on the value of a good spouse.  

Psalm 59 is an individual lament that also takes a global view of things.  The psalmist prays for God's deliverance and vindication so that the whole world will know God rules over all, and over Israel in particular (vv 5, 13).  

He describes enemies who are attacking him for no reason (see 1 Sa 20:1; 24:11, where David protests his innocence), and who believe they will not he held accountable for their actions.  He prays that God will punish them in such a way as to to send the most effective message to the world.  He asks that they be trapped by their own plots and ultimately destroyed (vv 10-13).  

In a familiar pattern in the psalms, lament is transformed to confident praise as the psalmist reflects on God's strength and faithfulness.  He knows that God is his fortress, a sure source of protection.

Seder 51: Psalm 16---A Prophecy of Resurrection

 Psalm 16 is one of six psalms labeled a "miktam".  The others are Psalms 56-60.  All six are associated with David.  We do not know the meaning of the word "miktam".  It may be a musical term.  

The midrash on Psalm 16 contains three suggestions about the possible meaning of miktam:

• It is a reference to David, a combination of Hebrew words meaning "meek" and "undefiled."
• It is derived from the word ketem, which means "fine gold."
• It is a reference to David confessing his sins by saying, "Stained with sin (mekutam) am I."  (David says in v 2, "I have no good apart from you.")

In Psalm 16 David rejoices in the "beautiful inheritance" that God has granted him (v 6), apparently thinking in particular of God's promise that his descendants would rule forever (2 Sam 7:12-16; Acts 2:30).  Because God is so good, he is confident that God will care for him always, even beyond death (vv 8-11).  

Early Christians recognized in verse 10 a reference to the resurrection of the Messiah, the "holy one" mentioned in verse 10:

"For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption."

The word for "holy one" in verse 10, hasid, is a messianic title.  It is also used in Ps 89:19-21, where it is related to other messianic designations.  

The mention of God's "right hand" in Ps 16:8,11 also links Ps 16 to Ps 110, another important Messianic reference for early Christians.  

The apostles saw verse 10 as a reference to the fact that Jesus would not "stay dead" long enough for his body to "see corruption."  They must have felt that this was a particularly persuasive messianic prophecy, since both Peter and Paul used it in sermons (Acts 2:24-31; 13:26-37).