Psalms 59 in the early church

100 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 59, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 16 · 17

Psalms 59:1

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:1 (58:1 LXX)	PG 12:1065 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:1 (58:2 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:1 (58:1 LXX)	Letter to Marcellinus 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	uncertain, after 335
Ps 59:1 (58:1 Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.1 · Hilary of Poitiers	allusion, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:1–2 (58:2-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.2 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:1–17 (58:1-Ps LXX)	Psalm 58 · Apollinaris of Laodicea	quotation, high confidence	uncertain (fourth to sixth century)
Ps 59:1 (58:2 LXX)	Letter 130.22 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:1 (58:1 Vulg.)	Part 1, chapter 9 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 445-450

Psalms 59:3

See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:3 (58:4 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:3–4 (58:4-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.3 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:3 (58:4 LXX)	Theological Oration 4 (Or. 30), On the Son 12 · Gregory of Nazianzus	quotation, high confidence	380

Psalms 59:4

For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:4 (58:5 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:4 (58:5 Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.5 · Hilary of Poitiers	allusion, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:4–5 (58:5-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.6 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:4 (58:5 LXX)	Sermon 128 · Peter Chrysologus	quotation, high confidence	ca. 425-450

Psalms 59:5

O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:5 (58:6 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:5 (58:6 LXX)	On Saint Athanasius 1.25 · Lucifer of Cagliari	quotation, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Ps 59:5 (58:6 Vulg.)	Instructions 1.22 · Eucherius of Lyon	quotation, high confidence	ca. 428-434

Psalms 59:6

They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:6 (58:7 LXX)	On the Psalms, fragment 4 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–235
Ps 59:6	Demonstration 20.7 · Aphrahat	quotation, high confidence	337-345
Ps 59:6 (58:7 LXX)	Catechetical Lecture 13.7 · Cyril of Jerusalem	quotation, high confidence	ca. 350
Ps 59:6 (58:7 LXX)	Catechetical Lecture 13.8 · Cyril of Jerusalem	quotation, high confidence	ca. 350
Ps 59:6 (58:7 Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.7 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:6 (58:7 LXX)	On Joseph 41 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 387-390
Ps 59:6 (58:7 Vulg.)	Tractates 9 · Gaudentius of Brescia	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397-410

Psalms 59:7

See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:7 (58:8 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:7 (58:8 Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.8 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:7–8 (58:8-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.9 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:7 (58:8 LXX)	Letter 121.7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:7 (58:8 LXX)	Letter 149.33 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:7 (58:8 Vulg.)	Letters 50.7 · Paulinus of Nola	quotation, high confidence	ca. 394–413

Psalms 59:9

I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:9–10 (58:10-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.10 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	Letter 106.33 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	Letter 186.5 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	Letter 186.10 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:9 (58:10 Vulg.)	Sermon 131.4 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:9 (58:10 Vulg.)	Sermon 365.5 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:9 (58:10 Vulg.)	Confessions 4.30 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 59:9 (58:10 Vulg.)	Confessions 10.53 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	On the Trinity 14.14 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 399–419
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	Literal Commentary on Genesis 8.12 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 401–415
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	On Holy Virginity 53 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	401
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	City of God 12.6 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	413–426
Ps 59:9 (58:10 LXX)	City of God 13.21 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	413–426
Ps 59:9–10 (58:10-Ps Vulg.)	Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymous	quotation, high confidence	ca. 440-450

Psalms 59:10

My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Letter 106.33 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Letter 186.10 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Letter 194.19 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Letter 214.4 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 Vulg.)	Sermon 174.4 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 Vulg.)	Sermon 176.5 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Sermon 193.2 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Sermon 201.3 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Sermon 333.7 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 Vulg.)	Sermon 366.7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Tractates on the Gospel of John 82.1 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 406–420
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Tractates on the Gospel of John 86.2 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 406–420
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On the Spirit and the Letter 60 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	412
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	City of God 18.46 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	413–426
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On Nature and Grace 35 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	415
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On Patience 18 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 415
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On the Proceedings of Pelagius 5 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	417
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On the Proceedings of Pelagius 7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	417
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	On the Proceedings of Pelagius 34 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	417
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.21 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 420–421
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 4.13 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 420–421
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Enchiridion (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love) 32 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 421–423
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	Enchiridion (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love) 77 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 421–423
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	The Conferences 13.8 · John Cassian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 426–429
Ps 59:10 (58:11 LXX)	The Conferences 13.12 · John Cassian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 426–429
Ps 59:10 (58:11 Vulg.)	On the Predestination of the Saints 17 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 428/429
Ps 59:10 (58:11 Vulg.)	Chapter 19 · Prosper of Aquitaine	quotation, high confidence	ca. 432-433

Psalms 59:11

Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:11 (58:12 Vulg.)	Against the Jews 13 · Tertullian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 197–207
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	On the Psalms, fragment 5 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–235
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	On the Psalms, fragment 6 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–235
Ps 59:11 (58:12 Vulg.)	Against Marcion 3.23 · Tertullian	quotation, high confidence	207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	Commentary on Romans 1.14 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Ps 59:11–13 (58:12-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.11 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	Letter 106.33 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	Letter 121.7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	Letter 149.9 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	Sermon 201.3 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:11 (58:12 Vulg.)	Letters 50.7 · Paulinus of Nola	quotation, high confidence	ca. 394–413
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	City of God 18.46 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	413–426
Ps 59:11 (58:12 LXX)	On the Proceedings of Pelagius 7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, medium confidence	417
Ps 59:11 (58:12 Vulg.)	Chapter 18 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 437-450
Ps 59:11 (58:12 Vulg.)	Part 2, chapter 22 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Psalms 59:12

By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:12 (58:13 LXX)	PG 12:1473 (Ps 57–59 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254

Psalms 59:13

Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:13 (58:14 LXX)	Letter 106.33 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419

Psalms 59:14

They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:14	Demonstration 20.7 · Aphrahat	quotation, medium confidence	337-345
Ps 59:14–15 (58:15-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.12 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367

Psalms 59:16

But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:16–17 (58:17-Ps Vulg.)	Tractates on the Psalms 58.13 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Ps 59:16 (58:17 LXX)	On the Trinity 6 · Faustinus	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380–384

Psalms 59:17

To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 59:17 (58:18 Vulg.)	Sermon 97.4 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 59:17 (58:18 Vulg.)	Confessions 3.1 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 59:17 (58:18 Vulg.)	Confessions 3.5 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 59:17 (58:18 Vulg.)	Confessions 13.1 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 59:17 (58:18 LXX)	On the Trinity 15.17 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 399–419