Psalm 54

Psa 54:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "A MASKIL OF DAVID. WHEN THE ZIPHITES HAD GONE TO SAUL AND SAID, 'IS NOT DAVID HIDING AMONG US?'." See Lesson, Psalms, "Maschil". Keilah (1Sa 23) and the Ziphites (1Sa 26) were in the same barren wilderness east of Hebron, called Ziph (Jos 15:55; 1Sa 23:14,15,19; 26:1,2).

Background: 1Sa 23: David saved Keilah (men of his own tribe) from the Philistines, but then found himself, with his men, in a walled town. To Saul this was a splendid opportunity to capture or kill David -- it was so much easier than hunting him in the open wilderness. And the men of Keilah, mindful of what had happened at Nob (1Sa 22:18,19), were disposed to seek Saul's friendship by betraying David to him (1Sa 23:7). Divine counsel by Urim and Thummim saved the situation (vv 9-12). David had no desire to be encircled, because the last thing he wanted was to have to fight against "the Lord's anointed". And so (directed by divine counsel?) he cleared out. What helps to explain the attitude of the men of Keilah is the fact that they were Calebites, as also were the men of Ziph (1Ch 4:16,19). Their disreputable link with Nabal (see 1Sa 25) evidently counted for more than their honorable descent from the courageous and faithful Caleb. The men of Ziph likewise attempted a betrayal (1Sa 23:19); had it not been for the providence of God (1Sa 23:27) they would have succeeded.

BY YOUR MIGHT: Undoubtedly included the encouragement offered by the beloved Jonathan, during this great trial (1Sa 23:16-18).

Psa 54:2

HEAR MY PRAYER: (NT) Jesus in Gethsemane?

Psa 54:3

STRANGERS ARE ATTACKING ME: Men of David's own tribe behaving as "strangers"! (For this word sarim some mss substitute zedim, "proud ones", which requires the change of only one letter in the Heb. Thus the RSV and NEB: "insolent men". This change is suggested by Psa 86:14, but seems unnecessary -- since "strangers" yields a very reasonable meaning.)

(NT) Both Gentiles and Jewish men of power were glad to collaborate against the Son of God. A common theme in the Psalms: see notes, Psa 2 -- pointing forward to Act 4:25-28.

RUTHLESS MEN SEEK MY LIFE: Saul and his retainers, men like Doeg.

MEN WITHOUT REGARD FOR GOD: The words clearly imply that as men of Israel they should have done so. This, above all else, was the great flaw in Saul's character. "The fool hath said in his heart [not in so many words], There is no God" (Psa 53:1). Saul had become a practical, if not a professing, "atheist"! He even uses the names of God (1Sa 23:7,21), but such speech is empty and meaningless. On Saul's lips, Holy Names are dry and lifeless and even contemptible.

(NT) A biting indictment of men who were the chief priests! Yet it is totally, devastatingly accurate.

See Lesson, Selah.

Psa 54:4

SURELY GOD IS MY HELP: The open sign of this was the presence of high priest Abiathar with the ephod (1Sa 23:9-12,14,16).

THE LORD IS THE ONE WHO SUSTAINS ME: "The LORD is with them that uphold my soul" (AV). David's 600 fellow-outlaws (1Sa 23:13), as well as Jonathan (vv 16-18) and Abiathar the son of Ahimelech (v 6).

(NT) The disciples who "continued with me in my temptations" (Luk 22:28).

Psa 54:5

LET EVIL RECOIL ON THOSE WHO SLANDER ME: David knew that this had been pronounced through Samuel: 1Sa 15:28,29. But he knew also, and he always showed by his own actions, that to God alone belonged vengeance (1Sa 24:6,12; 26:8-11,18,19,23,24; Deu 32:35; Rom 12:19).

IN YOUR FAITHFULNESS DESTROY THEM: "Cut them off in thy truth" (AV). The word commonly refers to God's covenants of promise, as already implied in 1Sa 16:13.

Psa 54:6

I WILL SACRIFICE A FREEWILL OFFERING TO YOU: Is it poss, also, that -- having Abiathar with him -- David offered sacrifice at a makeshift altar in the wilderness? For a "freewill offering" see Exo 25:2; 35:29; Lev 7:11-18; Num 15:1-10 -- as distinguished from an offering which one is bound to pay, as by law.

(NT) One offering of limitless benefit, which opened the way for God's "free" gift of righteousness by grace (Rom 3:24; 5:18,21; 6:23).

Psa 54:7

This v was prob added, very fittingly, in later days when David became king in Jerusalem, and when he appointed this Psa for worship at the sanctuary there.

FOR HE HAS DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY TROUBLES: True in a limited sense of David. But completely and utterly true of Jesus.

MY EYES HAVE LOOKED IN TRIUMPH ON MY FOES: "Mine eyes hath seen ('his desire' is in italics!) upon mine enemies." Jesus the Judge, not Jesus the Avenger. 'I have looked upon my enemies.' Not so much in triumph as in solemn resignation: "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them (cp v 14), bring hither, and slay them before me" (Luk 19:27).

SUBSCRIPTION: "FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC. WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS": "Neginoth" (Psa 3, 5, 53, 54, 60 -- "Neginah", singular, Psa 66, 75; Hab 3:19; Isa 38:20). "Neginoth" sig "to strike", as upon a musical instrument, or in affliction. Trials of affliction are for the development of godly character; so saints sing in the Philippian jail.