1David complaining of the Ziphims prayeth for salvation: 4in confidence of God's help he promiseth sacrifice and praise.
0To the chief Musician on 1Neginoth, 2Maschil, A Psalm of David, whena the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David 3hide himself with us?
1 See the second annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
2 See the annotation at Psalm 32 in the title.
a 1 Sam. 23:19, etc.; 26:1.
3 That is, yea verily he does, it is certain that he lurks and lies hid among us. See of such interrogatories, Judges 4 on verse 6, etc.
1SAVE me, O God, by thy 4name, and 5judge me by thy strength.
4 Compare Psalm 52 on verse 9. Other, for thy name’s sake.
5 That is, maintain and vindicate my righteous cause against those who wrongfully pursue me.
2Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3For 6strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors 7seek after my soul: theyb have not 8set God before them. 9Selah.
6 The city Ziph was situated indeed in Judah and so did the wilderness by it, Joshua 15:24, but David calls them strangers or aliens, for showing by their barbaric and unnatural disposition against such an innocent man that they were no true Israelites nor children of Abraham. Compare Psalm 59:5, 8.
7 That is, seek my life. See 2 Sam. 4 on verse 8.
bPsalm 86:14.
8 Hebr. they put not God over against themselves, that is, they have not God before their eyes, so Psalm 86:14.
9 See Psalm 3 on verse 2.
4Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is 10with them that uphold my soul.
10 That is, (with emphasis) He is indeed the One Who supports my life and preserves me from destruction, without Whom all the rest (whatsoever else I might or could devise or use for my own safeguard and protection) would prove in vain. Or, with those who do protect and shelter my life in these perils and dangers, namely, my commanders, officers and faithful soldiers about me, 1 Chron. 12:1. See the like manner of speaking, Judges 11:35; Psalm 99:6; 118:7. Likewise Prov. 3:26. Some hold the letter beth to be among, with, in. In such kind of phrases (according to the propriety of some oriental languages) for superfluous, as likewise Prov. 16:6; Hosea 13:9, whereof the judicious reader may judge by considering the circumstances of the places.
5He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off 11in thy truth.
11 Or, according to thy truth or faithfulness, for Thy truth’s sake. Understand the promises in the keeping and performing whereof God is ever true and faithful.
6I will 12freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; 13forcit is good.
12 That is, with a free, willing and liberal heart. See likewise of a voluntary offering, Lev. 7:16.
13 See Psalm 52 on verse 9.
cPsalm 52:9.
7For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire 14upon mine enemies.
14 Or, at; namely, my wish or delight. Compare Psalm 22 on verse 17. Or, God’s revenge and recompense, as Psalm 91:8, whereof he made mention above in verse 5.