As is true with so many words recorded in the Bible, the words of this Psalm came to David when he was in great distress. 1 Samuel 26:1-2 says, “Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, ‘Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?’ Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having 3,000 chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.” King Saul employed his nation’s best resources to destroy his nation’s most patriotic servant, and the man whom God had anointed to replace him.
Each of us have troops pursuing us that are more professional and powerful than King Saul’s. They are Satan and the fallen angels. They are skillful at deceiving and destroying people. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter warned us, saying, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” In Revelation 9:11, the king and angel of the bottomless pit is called Apollyon, which means destroyer.
How did David survive the war that was waged against him? How do we survive the war that is being waged against us? The answer is to turn to God and ask Him to intervene and save us.
“Save me, O God, by Your Name, and vindicate me by Your strength. Hear my prayer, O God. Give ear to the words of my mouth.” Psalm 54:1-2
David begged God to save him from his enemies. He wanted God’s strength, not his own, to be the strength that vindicated him. He let God fight the info wars for him. He believed 100% that in due season, God would win. He just needed God to heed his prayers and answer them.
David prayed, “Save me, O God, by Your Name.” The name that God has given us to call-on for salvation is the Name of His Son Jesus Christ. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
“For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors have sought after my life. They have not set God before them. Selah!” Psalm 54:3
The Ziphites were the strangers that rose up against David. Like King Saul, they were oppressors. They betrayed godly people in hope that their criminal activities could continue unchallenged. They were not for God. They were for worldly wealth and pleasures. [1]
“Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is with those who uphold my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.” Psalm 54:4-5
David was sure that he had God on his side. God was helping him. God was the one upholding his life. Time and time again, the Lord delivered David from capture by King’s Saul’s elite troops.
David did no evil to them because he gave his case over to God the righteous judge.
Saul and his army were following a lie that Satan had perpetrated against David. God cut them off from reaching David to preserve what was true and to preserve David.
“I will freely sacrifice to You. I will praise Your Name, O Lord, for it is good.” Psalm 54:6
David sacrificed to the Lord. Hebrews 9:22 says, “According to the Law almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The devil’s fiery arrows of accusations against David were extinguished by the fact his sins were forgiven by God.
David praised the Name of the Lord. By praising God, David remained confident of God’s greatness, power, grace, love and His willingness to help him.
“For He has delivered me out of all trouble, and my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.” Psalm 54:7
David speaks of his deliverance as a done deal. The Lord had delivered David from his troubles in the past, and he was confident the Lord would deliver him now and always.
The Lord gave to Paul a similar faith to David.
In 2 Timothy 4:14-18, Paul wrote of a coppersmith named Alexander who did much harm to him. At first, no one defended Paul from him. Everyone forsook Paul except the Lord. The Lord stood with Paul and strengthened him so that he could keep preaching God’s Word. Paul testified, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”
I’m glad that in Hebrews 13:8, God’s Word says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The same Savior who saved David and Paul is saving us today, He doesn’t change. Saving people who trust in Him is what He does.
Praise God! We have a Righteous Judge! As with David, Paul and Jesus, the evil one attacks us who serve God. He hits us and our loved ones hard and then, places the blame on us. Thankfully, God judges righteously and vindicates us His servants.
[1] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
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