Psalms 54

David being betrayed unto Saul by the Ziphites, prays to God for protection, and righteous punishment of his Enemies, with assurance of being heard, and promise of thankfulness.

1. An instruction of David [See Psa.32.on v.1.] for the chief song-master on Neginoth. [See Psa.4.on v.1.]

2. When the Ziphites were come, and had said to Saul, doth not David hide himself with us? [i.e. yea verily doth he; it is certain, that he lurks and lies hid among us, see of such interrogatories, Jud.4.on v.6, &c.]

3. O God deliver me through thy name, [Compare Psa.52.on v.11. Oth. For thy names sake] and do me right [i.e. maintain and vindicate my righteous cause against those that wrongfully pursue me] through thy might.

4. O God hear my prayer: incline thy ears to the speechs of my mouth.

5. For strangers rise up against me, [The City of Ziph lay indeed in Juda and so did the wilderness by it, Jos.15.25. but David calls them strangers, our aliens outlanders, for shewing by their barbarous and inhuman disposition against such an innocent man that they were no true Israelites, nor children of Abraham. Compare Psa.59.ver.6.9.] and Tyrants seek my soul [i.e. my life, how to take it away, see 2 Sam.4.on ver.8.] they set not God before their eyes, [Heb. They put not God over against them, i.e. they have not God before their eyes, they do not stand in awe of him, so Psa.86, ver.14.] Sela. [see Psa.3.on v.3.]

6. Behold God is to me a helper: the Lord is among those that underprop my soul. [That is to say (remarkably spoken) it is he indeed that doth support and sustain my life, and preserveth me from destruction, without whom all the rest (whatsoever else I might or could devise or use for my own safeguard and protection) would prove vain and bootless. Or with those that do protect and shelter my life in these perils and dangers. To wit, my commanders, officers and faithful souldiers about me, 1 Chron.12.1. see the like manner of speaking, Jud.11,35. Psa.99.6. and 118.7. item, Prov.3.26. some do hold the letter Beth among, with, in such kind of phrases (according to the propriety of some oriental languages) for redundant or superfluous, as likewise, Prov.16.v.6. Hos.13.9. whereof the Judicious Reader may judge, by weighing the circumstances of places.

7. He shall recompence this evil to my spies; destroy them through thy truth. [Or according to thy truth, or faithfulness, for thy truths sake: understand the promises, in the keeping and performing whereof, God is ever true and faithful.]

8. I will offer unto thee, with free willingness, [i.e. with a free, willing and liberal heart: see likewise of a freewill-offering, Lev.7.16.] I will praise thy name O Lord for it is good. [See Psa.52.on v.11.]

9. For he hath rescued me out of all distress: and mine eye hath looked on mine Enemies. [Or at, viz. My desire, wish or delight. Compare Psa.22.on v.18. Or Gods revenge and recompence, as Psa.91.8. whereof he made mention above v.7.]