uW Translation Notes:

Psalm 59 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Psalm 59 is a psalm of supplication or lament. It includes all the basic elements of that type of psalm. (Some elements are repeated.) See the discussion of the types of psalms in the introduction to the book of Psalms. 1. Cry for help (1–2) 2. Description of troubles (3–4) 3. Petition (5) 4. Refrain (6) 5. Description of troubles (7) 6. Statement of trust (8–10) 7. Petition (11–13) 8. Refrain (14–15) 9. Vow of praise (16–17)The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a “miktam.” See the discussion of that term in the introduction to Psalms.As its superscription indicates, the background to this psalm is an episode related in [1 Samuel 19:8–12](../1sa/19/08.md) in which King Saul sent men to watch David’s house so that they could kill him when he left it. It may be helpful to read that episode before translating this psalm.

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

לַ⁠מְנַצֵּ֣חַ

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster not destroy of,David miktam when,sent Shāʼūl/(Saul) and,people_watched DOM the,house to,kill,him )

See how you translated the term “chief musician” in the superscription to Psalm 4. Alternate translation: [For the leader of worship music] or [For the music director]

Note 2 topic: translate-transliterate

מִ֫כְתָּ֥ם

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster not destroy of,David miktam when,sent Shāʼūl/(Saul) and,people_watched DOM the,house to,kill,him )

The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a miktam. Since the meaning of this word is not certain, you may wish to represent it in its Hebrew form and spell it the way it sounds in your language. See the discussion of that term in the Introduction to Psalms.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בִּ⁠שְׁלֹ֥חַ שָׁא֑וּל וַֽ⁠יִּשְׁמְר֥וּ אֶת־הַ֝⁠בַּ֗יִת לַ⁠הֲמִיתֽ⁠וֹ

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster not destroy of,David miktam when,sent Shāʼūl/(Saul) and,people_watched DOM the,house to,kill,him )

The implication is that Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him, as recorded in 1 Samuel 19:11. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [When Saul sent men to watch David’s house to kill him]