In modern life, many people live under stress, whether it's because of work, economic anxiety, fractured relationships, or even real threats from people who do not wish us well. Our world never seems to run out of "howling dogs" at night: the sound of threats, intimidation, recurring bad news, and fear hounding our minds. In such situations, how can we remain calm? Psalm 59:9–18 provides a poignant picture of the struggle of faith: a prayer in the midst of death threats, yet ending with a song of thanksgiving.
Psalm 59 is associated with the event when Saul sent men to spy out and kill David (1 Samuel 19:11). The situation was full of terror, David not only felt besieged, but also betrayed. He described his enemies as dogs howling and circling the city, describing a threatening, intimidating and merciless situation. However, in the midst of this tense situation, David turned his focus to God who provides strength, protection, and love. These three things are important, as they underscore the fundamental faith conviction that true defense is not military or political strategy alone, but the sovereign presence of God. The psalmist says that "the LORD laughs at the pride of the enemy", as also expressed in Psalm 2, when God laughs at the nations that oppose Him. That is, evil powers may appear great, but before God they are but mortal dust.
David's prayer asking that his enemy be put to shame (verse 12 & 14) often comes across as harsh to modern readers. But in context, this is not simply a personal vendetta, but rather a plea for God's justice to be manifest and for the people not to forget His steadfast love. The psalmist realizes that personal revenge will not result in righteousness; only God's intervention can bring about true justice. Interestingly, the psalm does not close with a shriek of anger, but with a song of praise, "But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will shout for joy because of your steadfast love" (verse 17). This is the turning point of faith, even though the threat has not disappeared, the psalmist's heart is filled with confidence that God's steadfast love will sustain him.
Friends of the Bible, the psalmist teaches us that true peace is born not from the disappearance of problems, but from the realization of God's presence as our strength and protection. It takes courage to trust, even when all the odds seem against us. Viktor Frankl, professor of neurology and psychiatry, asserts that man can endure any suffering provided he finds meaning in it. For the psalmist, that meaning lies in God's unchanging steadfast love.
In our lives today, the "howling dogs" may take the form of moral crises, social injustice, political intimidation, or even inner anxiety. Psalm 59 reminds us, however, that we can remain calm, not because the troubles are gone, but because God is a stronghold, a sustaining force, and a steadfast love that never fails. Let us, then, learn from the psalmist, face threats with honest prayer, leave justice to God, and close the day with a song of thanksgiving. That's where we discover that God's intervention is not just about turning things around, but bringing inner strength to walk calmly under the protection of His steadfast love.
