Psalms 54:1

Psalm 54 ¹ 

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!

Psalms 59:1

Psalm 59 ⁶ 

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; ⁷  a prayer ⁸  of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him. ⁹ 

59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God!

Protect me ¹⁰  from those who attack me! ¹¹ 

[54:1]  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.

[54:1]  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.

[54:1]  ³ tn Heb “Is not David hiding with us?”

[54:1]  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).

[54:1]  ⁵ tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[59:1]  ⁶ sn Psalm 59. The psalmist calls down judgment on his foreign enemies, whom he compares to ravenous wild dogs.

[59:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “do not destroy.” Perhaps this refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a musical instrument. These words also appear in the superscription to Pss 57-58, 75.

[59:1]  ⁸ tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16, 56-58, 60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”

[59:1]  ⁹ tn Heb “when Saul sent and they watched his house in order to kill him.”

[59:1]  ¹⁰ tn Or “make me secure”; Heb “set me on high.”

[59:1]  ¹¹ tn Heb “from those who raise themselves up [against] me.”