Teks -- Psalms 54:1-7 (NET)
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By thy own strength.
Plead my cause.
Wesley: Psa 54:3 - Strangers The Zephites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious carriage.
The Zephites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious carriage.
Whereby thou art engaged to fulfil thy promises and threatenings.
JFB: Psa 54:1 - -- See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see 1Sa 23:19, 1Sa 23:29; 1Sa. 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises ...
See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see 1Sa 23:19, 1Sa 23:29; 1Sa. 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing. (Psa 54:1-7)
Perhaps Ziphites.
JFB: Psa 54:3 - oppressors Literally, "terrible ones" (Isa 13:11; Isa 25:3). Such were Saul and his army.
Acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Psa 16:8).
On their side, and for me (compare Psa 46:11).
JFB: Psa 54:5 - He shall . . . evil Or, "Evil shall return on" (Psa 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (Psa 6:7).
Thy verified promise.
JFB: Psa 54:7 - mine eye . . . desire (compare Psa 59:10; Psa 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unho...
(compare Psa 59:10; Psa 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare Psa 52:6-7).
Clarke: Psa 54:1 - Save me, O God, by thy name Save me, O God, by thy name - Save me by thyself alone; so name here may be understood. The name of God is often God himself. David was now in such ...
Save me, O God, by thy name - Save me by thyself alone; so name here may be understood. The name of God is often God himself. David was now in such imminent danger of being taken and destroyed, that no human means were left for his escape; if God therefore had not Interfered, he must have been destroyed. See the introduction, Psa 54:1-7 (note).
Clarke: Psa 54:2 - Hear my prayer Hear my prayer - In his straits he had recourse to God; for from him alone, for the reasons alleged above, his deliverance must proceed.
Hear my prayer - In his straits he had recourse to God; for from him alone, for the reasons alleged above, his deliverance must proceed.
Clarke: Psa 54:3 - Strangers are risen up against me Strangers are risen up against me - The Ziphites
Strangers are risen up against me - The Ziphites
And oppressors - Saul, his courtiers, and his army
Clarke: Psa 54:3 - They have not set God before them They have not set God before them - It is on no religious account, nor is it to accomplish any end, on which they can ask the blessing of God
They have not set God before them - It is on no religious account, nor is it to accomplish any end, on which they can ask the blessing of God
Selah - This is true.
Clarke: Psa 54:4 - Behold, God is mine helper Behold, God is mine helper - This would naturally occur to him when he saw that Saul was obliged to leave the pursuit, and go to defend his territor...
Behold, God is mine helper - This would naturally occur to him when he saw that Saul was obliged to leave the pursuit, and go to defend his territories, when he was on the very point of seizing him. God, whose providence is ever watchful, had foreseen this danger and stirred up the Philistines to make this inroad just at the time in which Saul and his army were about to lay hands on David. Well might he then say, "Behold, God is mine helper.
Clarke: Psa 54:4 - Is with them, that uphold my soul Is with them, that uphold my soul - נפשי naphshi , my life. This may even refer to the Philistines, who had at this time made an inroad on Isra...
Is with them, that uphold my soul -
Clarke: Psa 54:5 - He shall reward evil He shall reward evil - Saul and his courtiers, instead of having God’ s approbation, shall have his curse
He shall reward evil - Saul and his courtiers, instead of having God’ s approbation, shall have his curse
Clarke: Psa 54:5 - Cut them off in thy truth Cut them off in thy truth - Thou hast promised to save me; these have purposed to destroy me. Thy truth is engaged in my defence; they will destroy ...
Cut them off in thy truth - Thou hast promised to save me; these have purposed to destroy me. Thy truth is engaged in my defence; they will destroy me if permitted to live: to save thy truth, and to accomplish its promises, thou must cut them off.
Clarke: Psa 54:6 - I will freely sacrifice unto thee I will freely sacrifice unto thee - Or, I will sacrifice nobly unto thee. Not only with a willing mind, but with a liberal hand will I bring sacrifi...
I will freely sacrifice unto thee - Or, I will sacrifice nobly unto thee. Not only with a willing mind, but with a liberal hand will I bring sacrifice unto thee
Clarke: Psa 54:6 - For it is good For it is good - Thy name is good; it is descriptive of thy nature; full of goodness and mercy to man. And it is good to be employed in such a work:...
For it is good - Thy name is good; it is descriptive of thy nature; full of goodness and mercy to man. And it is good to be employed in such a work: whoever worships thee in sincerity is sure to be a gainer. To him who orders his conversation aright, thou dost show thy salvation.
Clarke: Psa 54:7 - For he hath delivered me For he hath delivered me - Saul had now decamped; and was returned to save his territories; and David in the meanwhile escaped to En-gedi. God was m...
For he hath delivered me - Saul had now decamped; and was returned to save his territories; and David in the meanwhile escaped to En-gedi. God was most evidently the author of this deliverance
Clarke: Psa 54:7 - Mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies Mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies - It is not likely that this Psalm was written after the death of Saul; and therefore David could no...
Mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies - It is not likely that this Psalm was written after the death of Saul; and therefore David could not say that he had seen his desire. But there is nothing in the text for his desire; and the words might be translated, My eye hath seen my enemies - they have been so near that I could plainly discover them. Thus almost all the Versions have understood the text. I have seen them, and yet they were not permitted to approach me. God has been my Deliverer
Calvin: Psa 54:1 - Save me, O God! 1.Save me, O God! As David was at this time placed beyond the reach of human assistance, he must be understood as praying to be saved by the name a...
1.Save me, O God! As David was at this time placed beyond the reach of human assistance, he must be understood as praying to be saved by the name and the power of God, In an emphatical sense, or by these in contradistinction to the usual means of deliverance. Though all help must ultimately come from God, there are ordinary methods by which he generally extends it. When these fail, and every earthly stay is removed, he must then take the work into his own hands. It was in such a situation that David here fled to the saints’ last asylum, and sought to be saved by a miracle of divine power. By appealing, in the second part of the verse, to God as his judge, he asserts his uprightness. And it must strike us all, that in asking the divine protection it is indispensably prerequisite we should be convinced of the goodness of our cause, as it would argue the greatest profanity in any to expect that God should patronise iniquity. David was encouraged to pray for deliverance by the goodness of his cause and his consciousness of integrity; nor did he entertain a single doubt, that on representing this to God he would act the part of his defender, and punish the cruelty and treachery of his enemies.
Calvin: Psa 54:2 - Hear my prayer, O God! 2.Hear my prayer, O God! The language is expressive of his earnestness. He was led to this fervor of supplication by the extremity of his present cir...
2.Hear my prayer, O God! The language is expressive of his earnestness. He was led to this fervor of supplication by the extremity of his present circumstances, which is alluded to in the following verse, where he complains of being surrounded by men fierce, barbarous, and unrestrained by a sense of religion. There was no necessity for his informing God of a fact which was already known to him; but he disburdens his own heart by venting the cause of his fear and disquietude. By calling his enemies strangers, 288 he seems to refer to their barbarity, whether he applied the name to the Ziphites only, or, in general, to the whole army of Saul. Others consider him, in this term, to advert to their degeneracy as children of Abraham; and it is true that the Jews are repeatedly stigmatised by the prophets under this form of expression, when they had cast themselves out of the Church of God by their profligacy or impiety. But in this passage it seems to be used in a different sense. As even enemies are accustomed, in some measure, to respect the ties of kindred and relationship, David would point out to us the monstrous inhumanity of the men who now surrounded him, by the fact that they assaulted him as strangers, as persons who had never known him, or as if he had been born in some distant part of the world. He calls them, also, terrible ones, 289 not mighty, or powerful ones, as some have rendered the word; for that falls short of the meaning intended by David, which was, that they were divested of all humanity, and ready to rush upon him like wild beasts. Hence the fear with which he resorted to the protection of God. He adds, that they sought after his soul, to denote that nothing would content their insatiable cruelty but his life. And the better to express the unbridled nature of their fury, he tells us that they had no respect to God. The only thing which could be supposed, in the circumstances, to act as a restraint upon their minds, was the consideration of there being a judge in heaven to whom they were amenable for their conduct; and being insensible to this, what moderation could be expected of them?
Calvin: Psa 54:4 - Behold! God is my helper 4.Behold! God is my helper Such language as this may show us that David did not direct his prayers at random into the air, but offered them in the ex...
4.Behold! God is my helper Such language as this may show us that David did not direct his prayers at random into the air, but offered them in the exercise of a lively faith. There is much force in the demonstrative adverb. He points, as it were, with the finger, to that God who stood at his side to defend him; and was not this an amazing illustration of the power with which faith can surmount all obstacles, and glance, in a moment, from the depths of despair to the very throne of God? He was a fugitive amongst the dens of the earth, and even there in hazard of his life — how, then, could he speak of God as being near to him? He was pressed down to the very mouth of the grave; and how could he recognize the gracious presence of God? He was trembling in the momentary expectation of being destroyed; and how is it possible that he can triumph in the certain hope that Divine help will presently be extended to him? In numbering God amongst his defenders, we must not suppose that he assigns him a mere common rank amongst the men who supported his cause, which would have been highly derogatory to his glory. He means that God took part with those, such as Jonathan and others, who were interested in his welfare. These might be few in number, possessed of little power, and cast down with fears; but he believed that, under the guidance and protection of the Almighty, they would prove superior to his enemies: or, perhaps, we may view him as referring, in the words, to his complete destitution of all human defenders, and asserting that the help of God would abundantly compensate for all. 291
Calvin: Psa 54:5 - He shall reward evil unto mine enemies 5.He shall reward evil unto mine enemies As the verb ישיב , yashib, may be rendered he shall cause to return, 292 it seems to point not only...
5.He shall reward evil unto mine enemies As the verb
Calvin: Psa 54:6 - I will freely sacrifice unto thee 6.I will freely sacrifice unto thee According to his usual custom, he engages, provided deliverance should be granted, to feel a grateful sense of it...
6.I will freely sacrifice unto thee According to his usual custom, he engages, provided deliverance should be granted, to feel a grateful sense of it; and there can be no doubt that he here promises also to return thanks to God, in a formal manner, when he should enjoy an opportunity of doing so. Though God principally looks to the inward sentiment of the heart, that would not excuse the neglect of such rites as the Law had prescribed. He would testify his sense of the favor which he received, in the manner common to all the people of God, by sacrifices, and be thus the means of exciting others to their duty by his example. And he would sacrifice freely: by which he does not allude to the circumstance, that sacrifices of thanksgiving were at the option of worshippers, but to the alacrity and cheerfulness with which he would pay his vow when he had escaped his present dangers. The generality of men promise largely to God so long as they are under the present pressure of affliction, but are no sooner relieved than they relapse into that carelessness which is natural to them, and forget the goodness of the Lord. But David engages to sacrifice freely, and in another manner than the hypocrite, whose religion is the offspring of servility and constraint. We are taught by the passage that, in coming into the presence of God, we cannot look for acceptance unless we bring to his service a willing mind. The last clause of this verse, and the verse which follows, evidently refer to the time when the Psalmist had obtained the deliverance which he sought. The whole psalm, it is true, must have been written after his deliverance; but up to this point, it is to be considered as recording the form of prayer which he used when yet exposed to the danger. We are now to suppose him relieved from his anxieties, and subjoining a fresh expression of his gratitude: nor is it improbable that, he refers to mercies which he had experienced at other periods of his history, and which were recalled to his memory by the one more immediately brought under our notice in the preceding verses; so that he is to be understood as declaring, in a more general sense, that the name of God was good, and that he had been delivered out of all trouble I have already adverted, in a former psalm, (Psa 52:6,) to the sense in which the righteous are said to see the destruction of their enemies. It is such a sight of the event as is accompanied with joy and comfort; and should any inquire, whether it is allowable for the children of God to feel pleasure in witnessing the execution of Divine judgments upon the wicked, the answer is obvious, that all must depend upon the motive by which they are influenced. If their satisfaction proceed in any measure from the gratification of a depraved feeling, it must be condemned; but there is certainly a pure and unblameable delight which we may feel in looking upon such illustrations of the divine justice.
TSK: Psa 54:3 - strangers // oppressors // they have strangers : Psa 69:8, Psa 86:14; Job 19:13-15
oppressors : Psa 22:16, Psa 59:3-5; Mat 27:20-23
they have : Psa 16:8, Psa 36:1, Psa 53:4; Joh 16:3
strangers : Psa 69:8, Psa 86:14; Job 19:13-15
oppressors : Psa 22:16, Psa 59:3-5; Mat 27:20-23
TSK: Psa 54:4 - -- Psa 118:6, Psa 118:7, Psa 118:13; 1Ch 12:18; Isa 41:10, Isa 42:1, Isa 50:7-9; Rom 8:31; Heb 13:6
TSK: Psa 54:5 - reward // mine enemies // cut reward : Psa 31:23, Psa 137:8; 2Ti 4:14; Rev 18:6
mine enemies : Heb. those that observe me, Psa 5:8, Psa 27:11 *marg.
cut : Psa 89:49, Psa 143:1, Psa...
TSK: Psa 54:6 - freely // praise // for it freely : Psa 66:13-16, Psa 107:22, Psa 116:17; Deu 12:6, Deu 12:7
praise : Psa 7:17, Psa 21:13, Psa 140:13
for it : Psa 52:9, Psa 92:1, Psa 147:1
freely : Psa 66:13-16, Psa 107:22, Psa 116:17; Deu 12:6, Deu 12:7
praise : Psa 7:17, Psa 21:13, Psa 140:13
TSK: Psa 54:7 - For he // and mine For he : Psa 34:19; Gen 48:16; 1Sa 26:24; 2Sa 4:9; 2Ti 4:18
and mine : Psa 37:34, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11, Psa 59:10, Psa 91:8, Psa 92:11, Psa 112:8
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Poole: Psa 54:1 - By thy name // Judge me Of which he speaks 1Sa 23 , when they did seek to betray him a second time.
The psalmist, complaining of his oppressors, prayeth forGod’ s prot...
Of which he speaks 1Sa 23 , when they did seek to betray him a second time.
The psalmist, complaining of his oppressors, prayeth forGod’ s protection; and for the righteous punishment of his enemies, Psa 54:1-3 . Placing his hope in God’ s help, Psa 54:4,5 , he promiseth a free sacrifice of thanksgiving to him, Psa 54:6,7 .
By thy name i. e. by thy own strength, as the next words explain it, because I have no other refuge. Or, for thy name , i.e. for thy own glory, which is concerned in my deliverance.
Judge me i.e. judge or give sentence for me, or plead my cause, as this phrase is oft taken, as we have seen.
Poole: Psa 54:3 - Strangers // They have not set God before them Strangers the Ziphites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers , in regard of their barbarous and perfidious disposition and carriage towards h...
Strangers the Ziphites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers , in regard of their barbarous and perfidious disposition and carriage towards him, by which they showed themselves to be estranged from God, as the wicked are said to be, Psa 58:3 , and from the commonwealth of Israel, and from all the laws of piety and humanity; for which causes he calls such persons heathens, Psa 59:5 , and elsewhere.
They have not set God before them they cast off all regard to thy presence and authority, and all fear of thy judgments.
Poole: Psa 54:4 - Behold // The Lord is with them that uphold my soul Behold consider it, and see the vanity of all your wicked practices against me.
The Lord is with them that uphold my soul he fights for them, and o...
Behold consider it, and see the vanity of all your wicked practices against me.
The Lord is with them that uphold my soul he fights for them, and on my behalf, and therefore against all mine enemies.
Poole: Psa 54:5 - In thy truth In thy truth or, for or according to thy truth ; whereby thou art engaged to fulfil thy promises made to me, and thy threatenings denounced agains...
In thy truth or, for or according to thy truth ; whereby thou art engaged to fulfil thy promises made to me, and thy threatenings denounced against thine and mine implacable enemies.
Poole: Psa 54:6 - Freely sacrifice // It // is good Freely sacrifice not by constraint, as many do, because they are obliged to it, and cannot neglect it without shame and inconvenience to themselves; ...
Freely sacrifice not by constraint, as many do, because they are obliged to it, and cannot neglect it without shame and inconvenience to themselves; but with a willing and cheerful mind, which thou lovest in and above all sacrifices.
It either thy name; or rather, to praise thy name;
is good i.e. an act of justice, and piety, and gratitude.
Poole: Psa 54:7 - His desire // mine eye hath looked upon mine enemies He speaks of it as a thing already done, either to express his assurance of it, or because this Psalm was made after it was done.
His desire or, ...
He speaks of it as a thing already done, either to express his assurance of it, or because this Psalm was made after it was done.
His desire or, thy vengeance ; which may be understood out of Psa 54:5 . But there is no necessity of any supplement. The words in the Hebrew run thus,
mine eye hath looked upon mine enemies either with delight, as this phrase signifies, Psa 22:17 27:4 , and elsewhere; or without fear or shame. I shall not be afraid to look them in the face, having God on my side.
Haydock: Psa 54:1 - Storm A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas.
Storm. The first fury...
A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas.
Storm. The first fury of the rebels, which is most dangerous, is thus specified. David was convinced, that his son's party would dwindle away, when he was informed that he did not pursue him, following the advice of Chusai. (Calmet) ---
Hebrew, "I would hasten my escape from the impetuous wind and tempest." But the Septuagint may be equally correct. (Berthier) ---
God protected his weak servant in the greatest dangers. (Worthington)
Haydock: Psa 54:1 - David David. It alludes to some of his persecutions, particularly to that of Absalom, as well as to that of the Church, and of Jesus Christ. Bede explain...
David. It alludes to some of his persecutions, particularly to that of Absalom, as well as to that of the Church, and of Jesus Christ. Bede explains it of Onias: who, being excluded from the high priesthood, retired into Egypt, and built the temple of Onion, 2 Machabees xiii. (Calmet)
Haydock: Psa 54:3 - Hear me // Exercise // Greek: Ldoleschia Hear me. He repeats the same petition four times, (Haydock) to testify his fervour, and humility, Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 21. ---
Exercise, among th...
Hear me. He repeats the same petition four times, (Haydock) to testify his fervour, and humility, Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 21. ---
Exercise, among the wicked, (St. Augustine) or while I consider the sufferings of Christ. (Eusebius) ---
David was perplexed what course to take, when he first heard of his son's revolt. Our Saviour was sorrowful unto death, Matthew xxvi. 37. (Calmet) ---
This life is a warfare. (Worthington) ---
Greek: Ldoleschia. Hebrew sichi, denotes serious (Haydock) meditation, Genesis xxiv. 63. (Menochius)
Haydock: Psa 54:4 - Upon me Upon me. When a person has fallen into distress, the world is ever ready to attribute it it some fault. Absalom accused his father of neglecting to...
Upon me. When a person has fallen into distress, the world is ever ready to attribute it it some fault. Absalom accused his father of neglecting to judge, &c., 2 Kings xv. 2. The Jews calumniated and sought the death of Christ, whose agony in the garden is well described, (ver. 5.) as well as the consternation of David, at the sight of such a general revolt, (Calmet) which almost overwhelmed him. (Worthington)
Haydock: Psa 54:5 - Troubled Troubled, like a woman in labour, (Menochius) as yachil implies, (Calmet) in Hiphel. (Menochius)
Troubled, like a woman in labour, (Menochius) as yachil implies, (Calmet) in Hiphel. (Menochius)
Haydock: Psa 54:7 - Dove Dove, which flies swiftly. He now adored the judgments of God, which chastised him, as he had threatened; (2 Kings xii. 11.) though, while innocent,...
Dove, which flies swiftly. He now adored the judgments of God, which chastised him, as he had threatened; (2 Kings xii. 11.) though, while innocent, he had rejected a similar proposal, Psalm x. 1. The event shewed, that he acted wisely in retiring beyond the Jordan. (Calmet) ---
O that I could fly, and in the simplicity of the dove, be removed from these afflictions! (Worthington) ---
As I could not go to heaven, I retired into the wilderness. (Menochius)
Gill: Psa 54:1 - Save me, O God, by thy name // and judge me by thy strength Save me, O God, by thy name,.... That is, by himself, by his power, and of his grace and goodness; the Lord's name is often used for himself. David in...
Save me, O God, by thy name,.... That is, by himself, by his power, and of his grace and goodness; the Lord's name is often used for himself. David in his distress applies to his God for salvation and deliverance, who only could give it; which was right; and his prayer was remarkably heard and answered: for when Saul came down upon the first discovery, and beset David and his men all around, just as he was about to seize the prey, tidings came to him of the invasion of the Philistines; which obliged him directly to quit his pursuit of David, and return in haste for the defence of his country, 1Sa 23:26; and upon the second discovery, when Saul came again to take him, Saul was delivered into the hands of David, who could have took away his life if he would; but he only took his spear and cruse of water by his bolster, as a proof of his being in his power, 1Sa 26:12. Of such avail is the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. This prayer is suitable enough to David's antitype and son, the Messiah; see Psa 69:1; and especially to sensible sinners; who, being made acquainted with, their lost and perishing condition, inquire the way of salvation; and finding it is not by works, but by Christ alone, apply in that way for it, and desire that God would save them by his Son; who is his name, in whom his name is, and whose name Jesus, a Saviour, is of God's giving; and this name is a strong tower, whither such souls, sensible of danger, flee and are safe; nor is there any other name in which salvation is, and which is therefore exceeding precious, and like ointment poured forth; see Exo 23:21. Or, "for thy name's sake" h; for the sake of the glory of his divine perfections; which was displayed in the deliverance of David, and more abundantly in the salvation of lost sinners; such as the wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, grace and mercy of God. Such a petition shows that man cannot save himself; that no creature, none but God can save him; and that a sensible sinner desires to be saved in such a way that God may be glorified;
and judge me by thy strength; David, though innocent, had many charges laid against him; his enemies were lively and strong; he puts his cause into the hands of the Lord, his strong Redeemer, who was able to plead it thoroughly against those that strove with him; so Christ, his antitype, committed his cause to him that judgeth righteously, 1Pe 2:23; and so should every believer.
Gill: Psa 54:2 - Hear my prayer, O God // give ear to the words of my mouth Hear my prayer, O God,.... The psalmist first puts up his petitions, and then desires to be heard; his distress, and the fervency of his spirit, not s...
Hear my prayer, O God,.... The psalmist first puts up his petitions, and then desires to be heard; his distress, and the fervency of his spirit, not suffering him to observe order;
give ear to the words of my mouth; for the prayer which was conceived in his mind, and inwrought there by the Spirit of God, was expressed vocally.
Gill: Psa 54:3 - For strangers are risen up against me // and oppressors seek after my soul // they have not set God before them // Selah For strangers are risen up against me,.... Meaning such as Doeg the Edomite, or Heathen soldiers, that Saul had hired and took into his army, who were...
For strangers are risen up against me,.... Meaning such as Doeg the Edomite, or Heathen soldiers, that Saul had hired and took into his army, who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; and such as these rose up against David's antitype, the Messiah, Psa 2:1, Act 4:27. Or rather the Ziphims, who were of his own nation, yea, of his own tribe, yet used him as barbarously as the very Heathens would have done, or worse; and who, though notwithstanding they were of Israel, might not be Israelites indeed, but strangers to an inward experience of divine and spiritual things: for men may be professors of religion, and yet be strangers to God in Christ, to Christ himself, and the way of salvation by him, and communion with him; to the Spirit of God, and the operations of his grace on the heart; to themselves, their own hearts, and their state and condition by nature; to the Gospel of Christ, and to the people of God; and these are sometimes the most violent persecutors of good and spiritual men;
and oppressors seek after my soul; or "life" i, to take it away; as did Saul and his army; who are "the mighty" or "strong ones" k, as the word here used signifies; see 1Sa 24:11; and as the Jewish sanhedrim, Scribes and Pharisees, sought after the soul or life of Christ, to take that away, as they did;
they have not set God before them. They did not consider themselves as under the omniscient eye of God; they did not set his word before them, as the rule of their conduct, but cast it behind their backs; nor did they regard his providential mercies and layouts as a motive to engage them to obedience to him, but despised them; they had not the fear of God before their eyes, nor in their hearts, nor any concern for his glory; and therefore did the wicked things they did against his servant.
Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psa 3:2.
Gill: Psa 54:4 - Behold, God is mine helper // the Lord is with them that uphold my soul Behold, God is mine helper,.... This being a matter of wonder to be helped in so extraordinary a manner, and a sure and certain case, and what was de...
Behold, God is mine helper,.... This being a matter of wonder to be helped in so extraordinary a manner, and a sure and certain case, and what was deserving the attention of others; for the encouragement of their faith and hope in like cases, a "behold" is prefixed unto it: and what is here said is true of David's son, the Messiah, and is expressed by him in much the same language, Isa 50:9; and of all the saints whom the Lord helps, as at first conversion, out of the pit wherein is no water, out of the horrible pit, the mire and clay of nature's darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; so out of all their afflictions and temptations, and out of the hands of all their enemies; he helps in the exercise of grace, and in the discharge of duty; and he helps to all mercies, temporal and spiritual, needful for them; which help is quick and present, seasonable and suitable, always sufficient; and is what they have reason to expect both from what he has said to them in promise, and from what he has done for them;
the Lord is with them that uphold my soul; that ministered to his sustenance, as Abigail did, and that gathered to him and joined him, and exposed their lives in the defence of him; these the Lord was with, blessed, protected, and afforded them his gracious presence. Such there were with Christ; who followed him in the regeneration; who ministered to him of their substance, whom God rewarded in a way of grace; and he blesses them that bless his, and do good to them; they being the excellent in the earth, in whom is his delight, the apple of his eye, and his jewels. Or the sense is, that the Lord is he that upheld his soul; not only the chief of his upholders, but the only one: so R. Moses l interprets it, that he is the alone upholder, and is instead of all upholders, and answers to them all; who upheld his soul in life, and followed him with his goodness: as when God is said to be the first, and "with the last", the meaning is, that he is the first and the last, Isa 41:4; see Psa 118:7; so he upheld the soul of Christ in the wilderness, and in the garden, and on the cross; see Isa 42:1. And he upholds all his people in a providential way in their beings, and supplies them with all the necessaries of life; and, in a spiritual way, maintaining their spiritual life, supplying them with all grace, bearing them up under all trials, holding up their goings in his ways, and preserving them to the end.
Gill: Psa 54:5 - He shall reward evil unto mine enemies // cut them off in thy truth He shall reward evil unto mine enemies,.... That eyed him as Saul did; that observed his haunts, where he resorted, and who were with him, as the Ziph...
He shall reward evil unto mine enemies,.... That eyed him as Saul did; that observed his haunts, where he resorted, and who were with him, as the Ziphites did under Saul's direction; as the Word m here used for "enemies" signifies: the mischief they had devised for him, he believed, would be returned upon their own heads; the pit they digged they would fall into themselves; and the net they had spread for others their own feet would be taken in. This was true as of David's enemies, so of Christ's, the wicked Jews, who narrowly watched him to take every advantage against him;
cut them off in thy truth; root and branch, as Saul, and his family, and his courtiers, quickly were, according to the truth of promises made to David, and of threatenings unto them.
Gill: Psa 54:6 - I will freely sacrifice unto thee // I will praise thy name, O Lord // for it is good I will freely sacrifice unto thee,.... Not legal sacrifices; no, nor freewill offerings the law gives directions about, though the allusion is to them...
I will freely sacrifice unto thee,.... Not legal sacrifices; no, nor freewill offerings the law gives directions about, though the allusion is to them; but the freewill offerings of his mouth, Psa 119:108; the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, on account of help, salvation, and deliverance, as appears from the following clause; which he determines to offer, not by constraint, but willingly; not by force, but of a ready mind; freely, and with all his heart. The sacrifice of his antitype is himself, his soul and body, as in union with his divine Person; and this was offered up to God, against whom man has sinned, and whose justice must be satisfied; and this was done freely and voluntarily; he gave himself an offering; he laid down his life of himself, and that for sinners. The sacrifices of his people are their prayers and praises, their acts of beneficence, and the presentation of their souls and bodies in divine service; all which they do freely, under the influence of divine grace;
I will praise thy name, O Lord; which explains what is meant by sacrificing: this is what is due to the Lord, and comely in his people;
for it is good; either the name of God; and therefore to be praised. He himself is good, as, he is, both in a way of providence and of grace; and it is good, both pleasantly and profitably good, to sing praises to him, Psa 147:1.
Gill: Psa 54:7 - For he hath delivered me out of all trouble // and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies For he hath delivered me out of all trouble,.... As he desired, 1Sa 26:24; that is, out of all his present trouble; not that he had no more afterwards...
For he hath delivered me out of all trouble,.... As he desired, 1Sa 26:24; that is, out of all his present trouble; not that he had no more afterwards; for as soon as one trouble is gone, generally speaking, another comes; but as God delivered him out of his present distress, so he believed he would deliver him out of all his afflictions in future times;
and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies: or revenge, as the Targum supplies it; not that he delighted in the destruction of his enemies, but in the justice of God glorified thereby, and in the goodness of God to him, in delivering him from them; see Rev 18:20.