Psalm 54
A Call for Deliverance According to God’s Name
A Call for Deliverance According to God’s Name
Psalm 54. This is a Psalm of David, written on the occasion “when the Ziphites came, and said to Saul, Is not David hiding himself with us?” (see 1 Sam. 26:1). This was an occasion of betrayal experienced by David, not by an infiltrator like Doeg (Psa. 53), nor by a friend like Ahithophel (Psa. 55), but by a group of “strangers” (v.3); the Ziphites! How sad, that even strangers in without a personal motive would rise up against him. But there is also “the violent”, which would refer to Saul and his henchmen. This is prophetic of the Jewish remnant who will be persecuted by the Gentile nations under the beast in the great tribulation, and also by the apostate Jews under the leadership of Antichrist. Just as David was hunted in the wilderness of Ziph, so the remnant will be hunted as well.
PSALM 54
To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments: an instruction. Of David; when the Ziphites came, and said to Saul, Is not David hiding himself with us?
1 O God, by thy name save me, and by thy strength do me justice.
2 O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and the violent seek after my life: they have not set God before them. Selah.
vv.1-3 A Cry for Salvation. The cry for salvation is “by thy name, O God”. The name of God implies His character; the value attached to the name. There is a double character of persecution here: (1) the “strangers” would be Gentiles from without, and (2) “the violent” would be the Jewish antagonists.1 The root in each case is the same; “they have not set God before them”.
4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is among them that uphold my soul.
5 He will requite evil to mine enemies: in thy truth cut them off.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O Jehovah, because it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen its desire upon mine enemies.
vv.4-7 Confidence in God for Deliverance. The faithful anticipate their deliverance. Even before it takes place, they know their soul is being upheld by the Lord. God will cut off the enemies, and requite them for their evil. The outcome of the deliverance would be sacrifice and praise to Jehovah’s name (the name of God in relationship to Israel).