Psalm 54-56

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54

The key of this psalm hangs at the door, for the title tells us upon what occasion it was penned?when the inhabitants of Ziph, men of Judah (types of Judas the traitor), betrayed David to Saul, by informing him where he was and putting him in a way how to seize him. This they did twice (1 Sam. 23:19; 26:1), and it is upon record to their everlasting infamy. The psalm is sweet; the former part of it, perhaps, was meditated when he was in his distress and put into writing when the danger was... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:4-7

We have here the lively actings of David's faith in his prayer, by which he was assured that the issue would be comfortable, though the attempt upon him was formidable. I. He was sure that he had God on his side, that God took his part (Ps. 54:4); he speaks it with an air of triumph and exultation, Behold, God is my helper. If we be for him, he is for us; and, if he be for us, we shall have such help in him that we need not fear any power engaged against us. Though men and devils aim to be our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 54 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, cf15I A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Of the word "neginoth", See Gill on Psalm 4:1 , title; and of "maschil", See Gill on Psalm 32:1 , title. The occasion of writing this psalm were the discoveries the Ziphims or Ziphites made to Saul of David being in their neighbourhood; which they did twice, as appears from 1 Samuel 23:14 . Which of these gave... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:2

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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:3

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, Psalm 2:1 , Acts 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:4

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, Isaiah 50:9 ; and of all the saints whom the Lord helps, as at first conversion, out of the pit wherein is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:5

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 F13 לשררי "observatoribus meis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:6

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, Psalm 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... read more

Group of Brands