For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song 2 by David. It was written when the Ziphites came and informed Saul: “David is hiding with us.” 3
54:1 O God, deliver me by your name! 4
Vindicate me 5 by your power!
54:2 O God, listen to my prayer!
Pay attention to what I say! 6
1 sn Psalm 54. The psalmist asks God for protection against his enemies, confidently affirms that God will vindicate him, and promises to give thanks to God for his saving intervention.
2 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. See the note on the phrase “well-written song” in the superscription of Ps 52.
3 tn Heb “Is not David hiding with us?”
4 tn God’s “name” refers here to his reputation and revealed character, which would instill fear in the psalmist’s enemies (see C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, Psalms [ICC], 2:17).
5 tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
6 tn Heb “to the words of my mouth.”