The Book of Psalms

Psalm 54

Psalm LIV · Vol. II, p. 1021

1 David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation. 4 Upon his confidence in God's help, he promiseth sacrifice and praise.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief musician on ^aNeginoth, Maschil, A psalm of David, ^bwhen the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?

1 Save me,^c O God, by ^dthy name, and judge me ^eby thy strength.

B.C. cir. 1058.

a Ps.iv. xxxii. xlii. titles.

b 1 Sa.23.19,20; 26.1. Je.9.4,5. Mi.7.5,6. Mat.10.21.

c Ps.69.1,2; 59.1; 71.2-4.

d Pr.18.10. Ex.23.21. Mat.1.21. Ac.4.12.

e Ps.43.1; 7.8; 31.2. Je.50.34. Pr.23.11.

2 Hear^g my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

g Ps.130.2; 77.1; 143.1,6,7.

3 For ^hstrangers¹ are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

h Ps.36.1; 86.14; 18.4-14; 53.4; 10.4,13. Mat.27.20-23.

1 Strangers, that is, the Roman governor and soldiers under whose oppression all Israel groaned, and whom yet they madly instigated to crucify our Lord.—C.

4 Behold, ⁱGod is mine helper: the LORD is with them that uphold my soul.

i Ps.118.7. He.13.6. Ro.8.31. Ge.12.3. Is.42.1; 50.7,9.

5 He ^jshall reward evil unto mine ²enemies: cut them off in thy truth.³

j Ps.92.7,9,11; 140.8-11; 21.8-12; 37.28,38.

2 Heb. those that observe me.

3 For vindication of such petitions, see note on Ps.5.10; 35.8.—C.

6 I^k will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for it is good.

k Ps.66.13-15; 116.14-19; 7.17; 140.13; 52.9; 21.13; 35.28.

7 For he ^lhath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

l 1 Sa.26.24. Ps.86.12,13; 59.10; 92.11. 2 Sa.4.9. 2 Co.1.10.

Notes

Ver. 1. Judge me. As no sinner would dare to pray for judgment, and as the humble penitent ever cries for mercy, he that utters this petition can be no other than 'the holy One of God,' prophetically described in the days of his flesh. C.

Ver. 5. 'In thy truth,' i.e. in thy regard for what is just and right. Inflict upon them the punishment which their crimes deserve. There is no sinful enmity or hatred here; there are no vengeful feelings on the part of the psalmist. Justice is what he demands; and he demands it on the grounds of public weal and individual safety. P.

Ver. 7. A prophetic vision of that blessed period when 'all trouble' shall cease in the body of Christ the church, Ep. 1. 22, and the 'last enemy' shall be destroyed, which is death, 1 Co. 15. 25, 26. C.

Reflections.—The prayer of faith is a sovereign remedy in every distress: and all salvation is of God, who never fails those that seek him. Nearest neighbours and relations are often the saints' bitterest enemies. And when men leave God out of their sight there is no wickedness too great for them. But if he be our helper he will soon raise us up friends and rid us of our enemies, according to his promise. The soul may rejoice that has the security of God's infallible promise. And past experience is the ground of cordial thanksgiving, and the earnest of continual support and future deliverance.