Psalms 54:1-7 - Homilies By C. Short

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 threatened his safety. ( Psalms 54:3 .) They were not men who acted as if they were seen of God; did not set God before them.

II. THE TRIUMPHANT ASSURANCE OF THE PSALMIST 'S FAITH . ( Psalms 54:4-7 .)

1 . He is assured of the general truth that God was his Helper. ( Psalms 54:4 .) He knew that God stood to him in that relation usually, and for ever. He would therefore trust.

2 . His assurance is so great that he regards his deliverance as already accomplished. ( Psalms 54:5-7 .) He is therefore at rest and in peace, delivered from danger.

3 . He will sacrifice and praise as one already saved. Faith—real faith—is always joined to works.—S.