Bible Strands
Psalms 54:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks to God during a liturgical performance directed for the choirmaster. He voices his plea at the moment the Ziphites inform Saul that David is hiding among them.
The words — The verse hinges on הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי (ho.shi.'E./ni), literally "save me," and תְדִינֵֽנִי (te.di.Ne./ni), literally "you will vindicate me." These terms move from immediate rescue to formal judicial deliverance.
The thread — The reliance on God’s name and strength connects to the safety promised in Proverbs 18:10. The Ziphite betrayal mirrors the event recorded in 1 Samuel 26:1.
Why it lands — The text requires abandoning human defense in favor of direct invocation. It demands that the reader accept vindication as a divine act rather than a personal achievement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- 1 Samuel 26:1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
- Psalms 20:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
- Psalms 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.
- Acts 4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- Psalms 48:10 Your name, O God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
- Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
- Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
- Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire.
- Exodus 23:21 Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.