Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 59:13

"Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they shall be no more: And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, Unto the ends of the earth. Selah" — Psalms 59:13 (ASV)

Consume them in wrath - Or, in your justice. The idea in the word “consume” here is to finish; to complete; to bring to an end. It does not mean to “burn” them as our word might seem to imply, nor is there any reference to the “mode” or “manner” in which their power was to be brought to an end. It is merely a prayer that all their plans might be frustrated; that there might be an entire completion of their attempts; or that they might be in no sense successful.

Consume them - The expression is repeated for the sake of emphasis, implying a desire that the work might be “complete.”

That they may not be - That things might be as if they were not in the land of the living.

And let them know - Those who are now plotting my death.

That God rules in Jacob - That God rules among his people, protecting them and guarding them from the attacks of their enemies; that he is their friend, and that he is the enemy of all those who seek to injure and destroy them.

To the ends of the earth - Everywhere. All over the world. Let it be shown that the same principles of government prevail wherever man abides or wanders - that God manifests himself everywhere as the friend of right, and the enemy of wrong. The phrase “the ends of the earth,” is in accordance with the prevailing conception that the earth was an extended plane, and that it had limits or boundaries. Compare the notes on Isaiah 40:22 and Isaiah 40:28.