Click here to read PSALM 54 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It also has the title: “A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?” This refers to I Samuel 23:19,20: “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.”
God delivered David from this attack. The Ziphites tried again in I Samuel 26:1: “And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?” Although Saul sought David, God delivered Saul into David’s hand at that time. Yet David showed Saul mercy and did not kill him.
The Psalm is separated into two sections, each separated with the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1,2) Prayer from David to God for help
(Verse 3) Oppressors who do not seek God
Pause
(Verse 4) God’s help to David and his supporters
(Verse 5) Enemies rewarded for their evil
(Verse 6,7) Concluding praise to God for His help over David’s enemies
Key Scriptures
Verse 3—“For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul.” Like the Ziphites who tried to turn David over to Saul.
Verse 6—“I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name.” Today we are a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) that makes a “sweet smell” to the Father (II Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 4:18).
Verse 7—“he hath delivered me out of all trouble.” The Messiah, Jesus Christ, saw his Father deliver him from trouble during his whole life on earth. God rescued His Son from evil and wicked people during his ministry, and even delivered him from the power of the grave by raising him from the dead. See Escape Artists for further details.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
