Psalm 54:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:1-3

We may observe here, 1. The great distress that David was now in, which the title gives an account of. The Ziphim came of their own accord, and informed Saul where David was, with a promise to deliver him into his hand. One would have thought that when David had retired into the country he would not be pursued, into a desert country he would not be discovered, and into his own country he would not be betrayed; and yet it seems he was. Never let a good man expect to be safe an easy till he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:1

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;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:1

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, Psalm 54:1-7 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:1

Verse 1 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1

Save me, O God, by thy Name; i.e. by the qualities of which thy "Name" is significant—power, goodness, and truth. And judge me ; i.e. "vindicate me," or "judge my cause." By thy strength; or, "thy might"—the might which thou possessest as a gibbor , or "hero." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Peril and prayer. Here we have— I. PERIL MOVING TO PRAYER . ( Psalms 54:1-3 .) Danger may arise from various causes. Soul-danger is the worst. Then when sore pressed and in trouble, the instinct of the heart is to cry to God, "Save me!" Prayer is "the mighty utterance of a mighty need" (Trench). II. PRAYER INSPIRING CONFIDENCE . ( Psalms 54:4 .) Prayer brings the soul into the very presence of God. The thought of what he is (" thy Name") and of what he has done ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Prayer for deliverance. I. A PRAYER TO BE DELIVERED FROM IMPENDING DANGER . ( Psalms 54:1-3 .) The prayer is grounded: 1 . Upon the Divine nature. "By thy Name, by thy strength." It is God's nature to save; he uses his omnipotence on behalf of those who call upon him. 2 . Upon the righteousness of his cause. "Judge my cause [or, 'avenge me'] by thy strength." We can pray when we are pleading for a good cause. 3 . Upon the character of those who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 54:1

Save me, O God, by thy name - The word “name” here may include the perfections or attributes properly implied in the name. It is a calling on God as God, or in view of all that is implied in his name, or that constitutes the idea of “God.” That name would imply all of power and benevolence that was necessary to secure his salvation or safety. The particular object of the prayer here is that God would save him from the design of the Ziphims to betray him to Saul. In some way David seems to have... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 54:1-3

Psalms 54:1-3. Save me by thy name That is, by thy own strength, as the next words explain it, because I have no other refuge. Or, for thy name, for thy own glory, which is concerned in my deliverance. And judge me Give sentence for me, or plead my cause. For strangers are risen up against me The Ziphites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious conduct toward him, by which they showed themselves to be estranged from God, as the wicked... read more

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