Psalm 54 — God Is My Helper
Introduction: Because Saul was king in Israel and very jealous of David, even in his own territory of Judah David could not be safe. King Saul had thrown his spear at David on two separate occasions when David was playing his harp to comfort the king. Saul sent David out against the Philistine army hoping he would be killed, but David became even more popular among the people through his victories. Afterward David had to flee by night through a window from his own house because Saul had sent men to lie in wait to kill him. As David moved about as a fugitive, there were some in Judah who gave reports to King Saul about the location of David and his men, and this Psalm reflects one such occasion.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the 1901 American Standard Version.
A — Jonathan Affirmed His Loyalty to the Fugitive David
1 Samuel 23 “14 And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood. 16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said unto him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. 18 And they two made a covenant before Jehovah: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?”
Comments: At the opening of 1 Samuel 23, David had inquired of Jehovah and followed the direction to take his men to save the city of Keilah in Judah from an attack by the Philistines. David heard that Saul planned to come there after him, so he had Abiathar the priest bring the ephod so he could inquire of Jehovah. When it was confirmed that Saul would come and the men of Keilah would surrender David, he went to Ziph. Saul tried to find his new location every day but Jehovah kept David from being delivered to him. Jonathan met with David and they made a covenant of loyalty before Jehovah, then Jonathan returned to his house. Some of the men of Ziph told King Saul that David was in their territory, but David moved on again before Saul arrived. Saul’s search for David brought them near to each other, and then Saul was drawn away because the Philistines were raiding the country. David then traveled to the strongholds of En-gedi. These actual events were in David’s thoughts as he composed Psalm 54.
B — The Men of Ziph Betrayed David to Saul
Psalm 54 “1 Save me, O God, by thy name, And judge me in thy might. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, And violent men have sought after my soul: They have not set God before them. Selah.”
Comments: The heading for this Psalm designates that the chief musician should accompany the recitation with stringed instruments, and the term Maschil denotes pensive or thoughtful consideration. David had never been disloyal to King Saul, and he did not promote himself before the people. But after David had to escape from his house in the night, he was never able to trust King Saul to allow him back peacefully. David asked to be saved not by man, but by the very name of Jehovah, because therein was tremendous power that could judge David guiltless by providing protection. Men who were strangers to David, and many violent men, had set themselves against David to threaten his life, and David declared that they had not turned to God to direct their actions.
C — God Is My Helper
Psalm 54 “4 Behold, God is my helper: The Lord is of them that uphold my soul. 5 He will requite the evil unto mine enemies: Destroy thou them in thy truth. 6 With a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto thee: I will give thanks unto thy name, O Jehovah, for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; And mine eye hath seen my desire upon mine enemies.”
Comments: David’s prayer brought him to the point of affirming that God was his helper, and that the Lord was with those who were upholding him with protection. David believed God would bring revenge for the evil back onto his enemies and destroy them in God’s truth. This brought him to vow to make an offering of sacrifice not out of duty, but freely because he wanted to give thanks unto the name of Jehovah, for it is good. Even though David was still a fugitive from King Saul he praised Jehovah for deliverance out of all trouble, and proclaimed that he had seen with his own eyes his desire upon his enemies.
Reflections in Prayer
I find that soothing music can be an aide to peaceful reflection when I begin to offer a prayer to you my God about some turmoil in my life. Your name Jehovah is a comfort to me because I know you are all powerful with no limit to the ability to hear my prayer and provide the answer that you have chosen for me. Whether my security or my reputation is threatened by strangers or even by acquaintances who are acting as enemies, I want my appeal to be because they have not set their deeds before you. Thank you my Savior for providing others around me who can come to my aid because of your enablement. I want to allow your truth to be the repayment for those who have sought to harm me. I will give thanks unto your name and seek ways to freely make offerings in recognition of your glory. Your name, Jehovah, is good and I believe through Christ you have delivered me from all enemies of my soul that I may praise you forever. Amen.
Published 29 April 2015