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!
Parallel translations
- WEB For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Isn’t David hiding himself among us?” Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might.
- KJV Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
- NKJV Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength.
- NASB Save me, God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your power.
- NLT Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David pleads for God to save and vindicate him by his name and might. It models prayer that rests on God's character and power amid betrayal.
Overview
Written when the Ziphites betrayed his hiding place to Saul (1 Samuel 23), David appeals to God's 'name', his revealed character, and his strength. He seeks not personal revenge but divine vindication. This grounds the believer's confidence in who God is rather than in human help.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Prov 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- 1 Sam 26:1Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
- Acts 4:12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- Ps 20:1For 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.
- Ps 79:9Help 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.
- Ps 48:10Your name, O God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
- Matt 1:21She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
- Exod 3:14–15God 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.’”
- Isa 30:27Behold, 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.
- Mic 7:5–6Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Exod 34:5–6And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD.
- Exod 23:21Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.
- Jer 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.
- 1 Sam 23:19–20Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?
- 2 Chr 20:6and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
- Ps 43:1–2Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
- Ps 26:1Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
- Matt 1:23“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
- Prov 23:11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
- Ps 99:4The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Matt 10:21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 54:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.