SAVE ME, O GOD

Passage: Psalm 54:1-7

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 54[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[b] of David. When the Ziphites(A) had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”

1 Save me(B), O God, by your name;(C)
    vindicate me by your might.(D)
2 Hear my prayer, O God;(E)
    listen to the words of my mouth.

3 Arrogant foes are attacking me;(F)
    ruthless people(G) are trying to kill me(H)—
    people without regard for God.[c](I)

4 Surely God is my help;(J)
    the Lord is the one who sustains me.(K)

5 Let evil recoil(L) on those who slander me;
    in your faithfulness(M) destroy them.

6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering(N) to you;
    I will praise(O) your name, Lord, for it is good.(P)
7 You have delivered me(Q) from all my troubles,
    and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.(R)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 54:1 In Hebrew texts 54:1-7 is numbered 54:3-9.
  2. Psalm 54:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 54:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Lord Upholds My Life

To the choirmaster: with (A)stringed instruments. A Maskil[a] of David, (B)when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?”

54 O God, save me by your (C)name,
    and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, (D)hear my prayer;
    give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 (E)For (F)strangers[b] have risen against me;
    ruthless men (G)seek my life;
    they do not set God before themselves. Selah

4 Behold, (H)God is my helper;
    the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
    in your (I)faithfulness (J)put an end to them.

6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
    I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, (K)for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
    and my eye has (L)looked in triumph on my enemies.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 54:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 54:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Targum insolent men (compare Psalm 86:14)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Out of jealousy King Saul hunted David down. Twice, the Ziphites came to Saul to let him know about David’s whereabouts (1 Sam 23 and 26). King Saul was relentless and driven mad in pursuit of David. Even though David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he entrusted his life to God’s hands and was saved.

Under the rule of seemingly ruthless and crazy kings and governors, many are oppressed and feel helpless. Sometimes, we try to take matters into our own hands. Like David, often the right thing is not easy, but we can pray to God for deliverance and trust in God’s goodness. God offers salvation to all who trust in him.

Prayer: Lord, I feel helpless to make any difference against the darkness that seems to be closing in from all directions. Deliver us from evil and help me to trust in your grace and salvation.

One Word: You have delivered me