Psalms 54

Psalms 54:1-7

Sinners All-God Alone Can Help Psalms 53:1-6; Psalms 54:1-7 That Psalms 53:1-6 should be a repetition of Psa 14:1-7, with very few variations, suggests, as does the “ verily, verily” of Christ, that the truths contained in these words are worthy of special attention. They supply the Apostle, in Romans 3:1-31, with his phraseology for describing the state of the ungodly before the searching eye of Omniscience. We have here a photograph of the human heart. Jew and Gentile are alike in their innermost texture. There is nothing to choose between the Pharisee and the publican, except when either turns the balance by humble confession, as in Luke 18:9, etc. Psalms 54:1-7 is probably founded on 1 Samuel 23:19. It is short, as if compressed by the urgency of David’ s need. Evidently he was in sore straits, though conscious of the rectitude of his cause. Notice how he makes his transition from prayer to praise, Psalms 54:4. He affirms, in spite of everything, that God is still his helper. He hears the approaching footsteps of those who are pledged to uphold Him, and God is with them. As he speaks thus in the confidence of faith, the storm clears away. He is delivered; his eye has seen the defeat of his foes.

God is my helper We were led by the superscription to 1 Samuel 23:19. The Psalm is short, as if compressed by the intensity of David’s need. Psalms 54:1-3 contain a prayer for deliverance; Psalms 54:4-7 contain expression of confidence and praise. In the first he invokes the name of God; in the second he extols it. His trust throughout is in El, the Strong.

The Ziphites are described as strangers (Psalms 54:3), though men of Judah like himself, because they were possessed of a spirit so contrary and alien to his own. It is beautiful to see how David refuses to say all the hard things which he might have said about Saul, and deals with those who enticed him into evil courses, as though he would cloke the sins of the Lord’s anointed King. Psalms 54:1. Save me, O God! A lonely, persecuted man, who has no other help, appeals from man to God, conscious of the rectitude of his cause.

Psalms 54:3. They have not set God before them Not to have God before our eyes is to have them full of self-estimate, or men’s measurements, uncorrected by thoughts of the claims of God’s Holiness, Power and Purity.

Psalms 54:4. Behold, God is my Helper! What faith is here! Hardly had the prayer ascended than the soul is aware of the gracious answer. Note this present tense: “God is mine helper.” The eye sees nothing. Faith knows that the mountain is full of horses and chariots of fire. Saul sought David every day, but God delivered him not into Saul’s hand. “The Lord is on my side” (Psalms 118:6; Romans 8:31).

Psalms 54:6.With willinghood will I sacrifice; or, “with free-will gift” (Exodus 25:2; Exodus 35:29). When God has saved us, let us yield ourselves to Him, as the woman in the Gospel yielded her alabaster box.

Psalms 54:7. He hath delivered me!When we pray in faith, we have the petition which we asked (1 John 5:15). And when our enemies are punished we have no feeling of vindictive satisfaction, but are thankful that God has vindicated his name and his truth.