1 {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?} O God, by thy name save me, and by thy strength do me justice.
Believe ye not in a companion, put not confidence in a familiar friend: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: a man's enemies are the men of his own household.
And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM. And he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you. This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
And the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself with us in strongholds in the wood, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the waste? And now, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and it will be for us to deliver him up into the king's hand.
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Commentary on Psalms 54 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 54
Ps 54:1-7. See on Ps 4:1, title; Ps 32:1, title; for the history, see 1Sa 23:19, 29; 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing.
1. by thy name—(Ps 5:11), specially, power.
judge me—as in Ps 7:8; 26:1.
2. (Compare Ps 4:1; 5:1).
3. strangers—perhaps Ziphites.
oppressors—literally, "terrible ones" (Isa 13:11; 25:3). Such were Saul and his army.
not set … them—acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Ps 16:8).
4. (Compare Ps 30:10).
with them—on their side, and for me (compare Ps 46:11).
5. He shall … evil—or, "Evil shall return on" (Ps 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (Ps 6:7).
in thy truth—Thy verified promise.
6. I will freely, &c.—or, present a freewill offering (Le 7:16; Nu 15:3).
7. mine eye … desire—(compare Ps 59:10; 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare Ps 52:6, 7).