This psalm is called a Maschil, a contemplative poem of instruction. The psalmist David recounts his prayer for God's deliverance as he was cornered by King Saul in Ziph. Learning dependence on God is the teaching of this psalm. Dependence leads to obedience and be willing to subject to His sovereign will. David was betrayed by the Ziphims who informed Saul of David's whereabout. Salvation came for David when the Philistines suddenly invaded Israel and the pursuing King Saul was forced to return to defend Israel against the aggressors. The setting for the psalm is given in verse 1 ,"when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?"
It is during times of affliction that we learn to depend on God. Friends give us up, circumstance dire drives up to the wall. We are forced to look up. We realize that we are creatures. God is Creator and head over us. We are subjected to God and must continue to be subjected to Him. It is for our good.
1 Samuel 23:19-24 "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. And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon."
1 Samuel 23:24-28 "And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth."
Ziph is a town in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:55 ). David hid from Saul in the open country near Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14 ,15 ;Psalm 54 superscription). The inhabitants there are therefore known as the Ziphims. In the same region David later took Saul's spear and water jar and spared his life (1 Samuel 26 ,note 1 Samuel 26: 1 ,2 ,7 ,12 ). The same town was fortified by Rehoboam after the secession of the northern kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:5 ,8 ). Located south-east of Hebron on a hill some 2,890 ft. above sea level commanding the open country around, about level with En-gedi on the Dead Sea.
Psalms 54:1-2 {To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?} Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
The word "Save" means "to deliver" given in the imperative, an urgent plea to God for help. It is the word "[v;y" yasha" from which we derive the name Joshua. The word means "to be open, wide or free" by implication "to be safe". Here it is used causatively "to free or succor" meaning "avenging, defend, deliver, help preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, get victory".
Salvation is of God, who saves His people from extended evils (BDB). Who do we call upon for our help in times of trouble? The name of God invokes His authority as God. He is in charge. Therefore, He can help me to take charge of my life in the light of this affliction. It is a posture of surrendering our life to God. Being helpless and understanding this is a true state that we are in as creatures subjected to His design and the good pleasure of His will.
It is also a time of self-examination and being subjected to the searchlight of our all knowing God. If we have sinned against Him, let us repent immediately. If our conscience does not convict us of wrong doing, it is a time to exercise patience. For God is judge. He will vindicate every wrong.
The psalmist at this juncture breaks forth in prayer "hL'piT. tepillah" asking God to hear his plea. What was the problem? As the author of Hebrews was inspired to write Hebrews 10:21-22 "And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
Psalm 54:3 "For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah."
The Ziphims (strangers) to David reported to Saul concerning his presence in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon. It was a time of grave physical danger. Here is the gravity of it. The Ziphims knew exactly where David and his men were hiding. They somehow wanted to please the King Saul. "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon" (1 Samuel 23:20-24 ).
Psalm 54:4 "Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul."
Remember in the book of Zechariah, God gave the first of eight night vision to His prophet to encourage His people in the time of much affliction to rebuild the Second Temple (Zechariah 1:7-17 ). The Angel of the LORD, the pre-incarnate Christ stood among the myrtle trees on a red horse in a lowly valley. The myrtle trees symbolized God's people. The leaves are bitter when crushed but gives off a beautiful fragrance. It is the word used for perfume. Jesus is with us in our affliction. He sends His angels to the length and breath of the earth, showing that He cares and He knows the predicament of His people. The act of sending the angels is for God's people to know that God is concerned and knows their plight. The man that stood among the myrtle is not clearly seen but is there. Jesus seemed so far in our trouble, but we are to realize that He is right by us. Notice it is a night vision, when God's people seem not to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The psalmist saw with eyes of faith and concluded in his heart to "GOD IS MINE HELPER". Can you say the same in your affliction?
Psalm 54:6-7 "I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies."
He understands that His God cares and values Him and will therefore help him. He is comforted He praises God for His goodness. Truly God demonstrated His power to save David. King Saul will follow the directions given by the Ziphims to find David. He is doomed. God intervened. "But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines." God acted! Praise the LORD!
Therefore the faith of David is strengthened. He did not call upon the name of God in vain. God was there to help him, to deliver him out of all trouble! What great assurance for gave to His people through the inspired pen of the sweet psalmist of Israel.
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1873: My friend, Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, composed a melody and played it over to me two or three times on the piano. She then asked what it said. I replied, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!"
Music: Assurance, Phoebe P. Knapp (MIDI, score). This hymn was sung in the Academy Award winning movies Places in the Heart (1984) and Trip to Bountiful (1985).
"During the recent war in the Transvaal," said a gentleman at my meeting in Exeter Hall, London, in 1900, "when the soldiers going to the front were passing another body of soldiers whom they recognized, their greetings used to be, 'Four-nine-four, boys; four-nine-four;' and the salute would invariably be answered with 'Six further on, boys; six further on.' The significance of this was that, in 'Sacred Songs and Solos,' a number of copies of the small edition of which had been sent to the front, number 494 was 'God be with you until we meet again;' and six further on than 494, or number 500, was 'Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine.'" Sankey.
Hebrews 10:21-22 "And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain