To the chief musician on neginoth, a maskil of David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Does not David hide himself among us?”
54:Title The story of David’s danger at the hands of the Ziphites is in 1 Sam 23:13-29. Neginoth indicates this psalm should be sung with stringed instruments. Maskil was probably a literary or musical term.⚜
54
📚Save me, O God, by your name,
and vindicate me by your
strength.
54:1 God’s name means His nature, His person and attributes. He alone could save David in the midst of implacable enemies, and work justice for him.⚜
2 📚Hear my prayer, O God.
Give ear to the words
of my mouth.
3 📚For strangers have risen up
against me,
and oppressors seek my life.
They have not set God before
them. Selah
54:3 The men of Ziph did not know David, but to gain the favor of King Saul, they tried to destroy him. They cared nothing for the justice of David’s case, and had no regard for God.⚜
4 📚Look, God is my helper.
The Lord is with those
who uphold my soul.
5 📚He will repay my enemies
for their evil.
Cut them off in your truth!
54:5 See Ps 7:14-16. They will get what they deserve. See note at Ps 35:8. David wanted the truth to prevail and be recognized.⚜
6 📚I will freely sacrifice to you.
I will praise your name,
O LORD,
for it is good.
54:6 David had the excellent quality of a thankful heart.⚜
7 📚For he has delivered me
out of all trouble,
and my eye has seen its desire
on my enemies.