Psalms 59:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
American King James Version (AKJV)
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
American Standard Version (ASV)
They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go round about the city.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
They come back in the evening; they make a noise like a dog, and go round the town.
Webster's Revision
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go about the city.
World English Bible
They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.
English Revised Version (ERV)
They return at evening, they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Clarke's Psalms 59:6 Bible Commentary
They return at evening - When the beasts of prey leave their dens, and go prowling about the cities and villages to get offal, and entrap domestic animals, these come about the city to see if they may get an entrance, destroy the work, and those engaged in it.
Barnes's Psalms 59:6 Bible Commentary
They return at evening - Many have rendered this in the imperative, as in Psalm 59:14, "Let them return at evening," etc. So Luther renders it, and so also DeWette. But the more natural and obvious interpretation is to render it in the indicative, as describing the manner in which his enemies came upon him - like dogs seeking their prey; fierce mastiffs, howling and ready to spring upon him. From the phrase "they return at evening," thus explained, it would seem probable that they watched their opportunity, or lay in wait, to secure their object; that having failed at first, they drew off again until evening, perhaps continuing thus for several days unable to accomplish their object.
They make a noise like a dog - So savages, after lurking stealthily all day, raise the war-whoop at night, and come upon their victims. It is possible that an assault of this kind "had" been attempted; or, more probably, it is a description of the manner in which they "would" make their assault, and of the spirit with which it would be done.
And go round about the city - The word "city" is used in a large sense in the Scriptures, and is often applied to places that we should now describe as "villages." Any town within the limits of which David was lodged, would answer to this term.
Wesley's Psalms 59:6 Bible Commentary
59:6 Return - Watching for me: which they did at this time all the night long, 19:11 .A dog - When he is pursuing his prey. Go round - When they did not find him in his own house, they sought for him in other parts of the city.