A manual of the book of Psalms · Martin Luther
PSALM LIV.
_David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation.—Upon his confidence in God’s help he promiseth sacrifice._ 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. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. Behold, God _is_ mine helper: the LORD _is_ with them that uphold my soul. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for _it is_ good. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen _his desire_ upon mine enemies. This is a fervent prayer against the persecutors of the word, who lay plots against the lives of the good, and those that fear God, for the word of God’s sake; just like king Saul and the people of Ziph, who lay in wait for the life of David, on account of the name and word of God, by which Saul was to be dethroned and David made king in his stead. David, therefore, prays, that the vengeance of God might overtake such cruelty and malice.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.