Running From, Praying To
Psalm 54
Psalm 54 is a short song of David, one of the few psalms whose superscript connects it to a historical event in his life.
There is much debate among scholars as to whether these superscripts, or headings, are part of the original psalm or were added later. Some scholars go as far as to say that the superscripts have little historical value and were likely added by scribes much later, making them nothing more than marginal glosses.
But this is hardly a settled issue. The superscripts are as old as the Psalms themselves, appearing across all versions and manuscripts; Jewish and Christian commentators have discussed them throughout history. In fact, they are so old that many of the obscure Hebrew words used in the superscripts were lost long before Jews returned from the Babylonian exile. We may not know what some of the words mean, like the word “Maskil” in this superscript, but we do know the historical event that the superscript of Psalm 54 points to: when David was among the Ziphites.
1 Samuel 23 tells the story of a time when David was running from Saul. God had rejected Saul as king, and Samuel had anointed David as the next king, which explains why Saul was trying to kill David. In this chapter, we see Psalm 54 play out in real time.
First, David hears that the Philistines were robbing the threshing floors in Keilah, a village in Judah which only appears substantively in this narrative. David inquires of the Lord whether or not he should attack the Philistines and whether or not God will give him victory. God gives David the green light, and David liberates Keilah.
Grateful, they are not. After David delivers the city, Saul discovers that David is living there. As Saul’s army is marching toward Keilah, David asks the Lord whether or not the people of Keilah will give him over to Saul, which they will. David then flees Keilah for the city of Ziph, another village in Judah. The people of Ziph, the Ziphites, tell Saul that David is hiding among them, hence the superscript of Psalm 54.
What follows is basically a chase scene through the various regions and wilderness, a chase that ends only when the Philistines raid the land of Israel and Saul must return to defend his territory.
Now, read Psalm 54 in light of that narrative.
David cries out to the Lord, asking Him to save him (1), vindicate him (1), and hear his prayer (2). The problem is that strangers have risen against him (3) and ruthless men seek his life (3). The “strangers” are the men of Keilah and Ziph while the ruthless men are the soldiers of Saul.
The song shifts in verse 4, where David confesses that God is his helper (4) and the upholder of his life (4). He knows that God will return evil to his enemies (5), putting an end to them (5). And when that happens, he will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord (6).
The song ends with this strong statement: God has delivered me from every trouble (7).
Three things stand out to me from this psalm; let me deal with the first two quickly before spending more time on the last.
First, the setting of the superscript is so valuable for bringing this prayer to life. When we read Psalm 54 side by side with 1 Samuel 23, we can see the incredible danger of strangers rising up against David, but we also see in real time the way that God helped and upheld David’s life. The Lord spoke to David, directed him, and helped him in tangible ways. Though the text doesn’t say it directly, I think the Lord even used the pagan Philistine army to draw Saul away from chasing David.
The value for me today is that God is at work in tangible ways in my life, too. When we speak of God helping, upholding, and delivering, these are not vague words or concepts. Just like David, we can point to specific ways in which that help came, which of course is why we pray. We need God to provide, to encourage, to comfort, to lead, to protect, even to thwart the plans of those who want to hurt us. In other words, we faith in a God who makes a difference in this real world.
Second, this is a song meant to be sung by God’s people. While we may not know the specific meaning of many of the words in the superscripts, scholars do seem to agree that they are musical terms, even the names of musical tunes. David’s testimony, put to music, was meant for God’s people to sing, a reminder that God is their helper, too, and that God will uphold their lives as well. It is no surprise that we find encouragement by hearing of God’s work in the life of another, whether in spoken testimony in a small group or written down in a book. A rendition of “Let me tell you what God has been doing in my life” has always encouraged God’s people.
Finally, and here is where I want to camp out for a bit, I am struck by the flow between present, past, and future tense in this short song. Save me, present tense. He has delivered me, past tense. I will give thanks, future tense.
Real faith operates in the present, past, and future simultaneously. There is no other way.
David prays in the present tense: God, save me. God, hear my prayer. God, vindicate me. There is a very present danger: ruthless men seeking his life. David cries out to God in the presence of real danger because of what God has done in his past. The past tense of the last verse informs the present tense of the first verse.
In the past, God has delivered him from every trouble (7). And each time God delivered him, David knew God as his helper and the One who upheld his life (4). In fact, David cries out for God to save him “by His name” (1), a name he knows to be good (6). He is a God of might (1), faithfulness (5), help (4), and deliverance (7).
We cry out to God for help in the present because of who we know Him to be and what He has done in our past, which gives us great confidence for the future. David trusted the Lord to return evil to his enemies (5), to put an end to them (5). He is so confident that he is already planning a thanksgiving sacrifice to His name (6). I know God will deliver me, and I will give thanks to Him for it.
Present. Past. Future.
Genuine faith operates in all three tenses at the same time. We pray to God for help in the present, but we pray because of what God has done in our past and who we have discovered Him to be. And because of what God has done in our past, we are confident that we can trust Him for the future. I will see the deliverance of the Lord. It may not come how or when I think it should come, but it will come.
Why can I be so confident?
Because the Lord is my helper, the upholder of my life.
Thirty Minutes in Prayer Guided by Psalm 54
Name your present tense crisis specifically before God, not a vague “help me,” but the actual thing, spoken clearly.
Who are the strangers or ruthless voices rising against you right now, in a relationship or at work or even in your own head? Remember, we all wrestle with the spiritual forces of darkness.
Recall one specific time God delivered you from trouble. Thank Him for it by name.
Whose story of God’s faithfulness has strengthened your faith? Thank God for that witness.
Is there an injustice or wrong you are waiting on God to make right? Pray verse 5 honestly, then hand over how and when the answer comes to the One who upholds your life.
Finish this in prayer: “I know God will deliver me, and I will give thanks to Him for…”