Psalm 54:3-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:1-3

We may observe here, 1. The great distress that David was now in, which the title gives an account of. The Ziphim came of their own accord, and informed Saul where David was, with a promise to deliver him into his hand. One would have thought that when David had retired into the country he would not be pursued, into a desert country he would not be discovered, and into his own country he would not be betrayed; and yet it seems he was. Never let a good man expect to be safe an easy till he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:4-7

We have here the lively actings of David's faith in his prayer, by which he was assured that the issue would be comfortable, though the attempt upon him was formidable. I. He was sure that he had God on his side, that God took his part (Ps. 54:4); he speaks it with an air of triumph and exultation, Behold, God is my helper. If we be for him, he is for us; and, if he be for us, we shall have such help in him that we need not fear any power engaged against us. Though men and devils aim to be our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:3

For strangers are risen up against me ,.... Meaning such as Doeg the Edomite, or Heathen soldiers, that Saul had hired and took into his army, who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; and such as these rose up against David's antitype, the Messiah, Psalm 2:1 , Acts 4:27 . Or rather the Ziphims, who were of his own nation, yea, of his own tribe, yet used him as barbarously as the very Heathens would have done, or worse; and who, though notwithstanding they were of Israel, might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:4

Behold, God is mine helper ,.... This being a matter of wonder to be helped in so extraordinary a manner, and a sure and certain case, and what was deserving the attention of others; for the encouragement of their faith and hope in like cases, a "behold" is prefixed unto it: and what is here said is true of David's son, the Messiah, and is expressed by him in much the same language, Isaiah 50:9 ; and of all the saints whom the Lord helps, as at first conversion, out of the pit wherein is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:3

Strangers are risen up against me - The Ziphites. And oppressors - Saul, his courtiers, and his army. They have not set God before them - It is on no religious account, nor is it to accomplish any end, on which they can ask the blessing of God. Selah - This is true. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:4

Behold, God is mine helper - This would naturally occur to him when he saw that Saul was obliged to leave the pursuit, and go to defend his territories, when he was on the very point of seizing him. God, whose providence is ever watchful, had foreseen this danger and stirred up the Philistines to make this inroad just at the time in which Saul and his army were about to lay hands on David. Well might he then say, "Behold, God is mine helper." Is with them, that uphold my soul - נפשי ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:4

Verse 4 4.Behold! God is my helper Such language as this may show us that David did not direct his prayers at random into the air, but offered them in the exercise of a lively faith. There is much force in the demonstrative adverb. He points, as it were, with the finger, to that God who stood at his side to defend him; and was not this an amazing illustration of the power with which faith can surmount all obstacles, and glance, in a moment, from the depths of despair to the very throne of God?... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Peril and prayer. Here we have— I. PERIL MOVING TO PRAYER . ( Psalms 54:1-3 .) Danger may arise from various causes. Soul-danger is the worst. Then when sore pressed and in trouble, the instinct of the heart is to cry to God, "Save me!" Prayer is "the mighty utterance of a mighty need" (Trench). II. PRAYER INSPIRING CONFIDENCE . ( Psalms 54:4 .) Prayer brings the soul into the very presence of God. The thought of what he is (" thy Name") and of what he has done ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

Prayer for deliverance. I. A PRAYER TO BE DELIVERED FROM IMPENDING DANGER . ( Psalms 54:1-3 .) The prayer is grounded: 1 . Upon the Divine nature. "By thy Name, by thy strength." It is God's nature to save; he uses his omnipotence on behalf of those who call upon him. 2 . Upon the righteousness of his cause. "Judge my cause [or, 'avenge me'] by thy strength." We can pray when we are pleading for a good cause. 3 . Upon the character of those who... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 54:4-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 54:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 54:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 54:1-7

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