Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:1, 2
Praise When in Peril
Here is a cry for help uttered when those David aided turned against him (2 Sam. 2, 3). Although David is being pursued by his enemies, he is buoyed up by the confidence that God is helping him.
54:1-3 Save me, O God, by Your name: The poets of the Bible knew the significance of God’s name even when they did not use it. The people of Ziph probably are indicated by the words strangers and oppressors. David makes the point that they are not pious people. Since he is God’s servant, he expects that God will deliver him.
1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, ‘Is David not hiding with us?’ Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
54:4, 5 Helper could also be translated “power.” The Lord was David’s strength in his time of need. Cut them off is David’s curse on his enemies, an imprecation. Even so, David did not take vengeance into his own hands. Only the Lord can take revenge.
4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.
54:6, 7 I will freely sacrifice to You: The prayer has been answered, and God is honored. Thus David expresses his willingness to fulfill his vow.
6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.
⇒ The Lord is the one who sustains me. He has delivered me out of all my troubles. He is the deliverer of my past, present and future troubles.
A Prayer for Protection from Enemies
54 1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, ‘Is David not hiding with us?’ Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.
