God’s universal rule assures the faithful that wrong will not triumph forever.
“Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more;
That men may know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. Selah.” (v.13)
Here, David—who reigned as Israel’s second king from about 1010 to 970 BC—pleads urgently for the LORD to bring a decisive end to the schemes of the wicked. By saying, Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more (v.13), he is appealing to God’s righteous judgment, asking that evil no longer prevail. David’s fervent cry is not merely an outburst of anger; rather, it arises from his desire to see God’s holiness upheld, so that men may know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth (v.13). Since Jacob is another name for Israel, the Psalmist’s plea includes a vision of divine authority extending well beyond the boundaries of David’s kingdom, ultimately encompassing all the nations (Luke 1:33).
In the larger biblical narrative, this verse resonates with the theme that God alone is sovereign—He preserves and defends His people while opposing evil forces. David’s request for justice foreshadows the ultimate deliverance believers find in Jesus Christ, who, through His victory over sin and death, demonstrates a final, perfect judgment on evil (1 Corinthians 15:57). Although Psalm 59:13 arises from a historical crisis in David’s life, its implications reach throughout Scripture, reinforcing trust in God as the supreme and righteous ruler everywhere.
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Psalms 59:13 meaning
“Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more;
That men may know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. Selah.” (v.13)
Here, David—who reigned as Israel’s second king from about 1010 to 970 BC—pleads urgently for the LORD to bring a decisive end to the schemes of the wicked. By saying, Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more (v.13), he is appealing to God’s righteous judgment, asking that evil no longer prevail. David’s fervent cry is not merely an outburst of anger; rather, it arises from his desire to see God’s holiness upheld, so that men may know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth (v.13). Since Jacob is another name for Israel, the Psalmist’s plea includes a vision of divine authority extending well beyond the boundaries of David’s kingdom, ultimately encompassing all the nations (Luke 1:33).
In the larger biblical narrative, this verse resonates with the theme that God alone is sovereign—He preserves and defends His people while opposing evil forces. David’s request for justice foreshadows the ultimate deliverance believers find in Jesus Christ, who, through His victory over sin and death, demonstrates a final, perfect judgment on evil (1 Corinthians 15:57). Although Psalm 59:13 arises from a historical crisis in David’s life, its implications reach throughout Scripture, reinforcing trust in God as the supreme and righteous ruler everywhere.