July 17, 2024

God hears.

Psalm 54

Elle Parisi
Wednesday's Devo

July 17, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

July 17, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

July 17, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

July 17, 2024

Big Book Idea

Thinking and feeling God's way.

Key Verse | Psalm 54:2

O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.

Psalm 54

The Lord Upholds My Life

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil 1 54:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?”

1  O God, save me by your name,
    and vindicate me by your might.
2  O God, hear my prayer;
    give ear to the words of my mouth.

3  For strangers 2 54:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Targum insolent men (compare Psalm 86:14) have risen against me;
    ruthless men seek my life;
    they do not set God before themselves. Selah

4  Behold, God is my helper;
    the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5  He will return the evil to my enemies;
    in your faithfulness put an end to them.

6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
    I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7  For he has delivered me from every trouble,
    and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Footnotes

[1] 54:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2] 54:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Targum insolent men (compare Psalm 86:14)
Table of Contents
Introduction to The Psalms

Introduction to The Psalms

Timeline

Author and Date

Individual psalms come from diverse periods of Israel’s history, but at every stage they served as the songbook of God’s people. David wrote about half of the Psalms. His role as king was more than that of a ruler. He was to represent and even embody the people, and their well-being was tied to his faithfulness. David, then, writes as a representative, and the readers must discern whether the emphasis of a psalm is more on his role as ruler or more on his role as ideal Israelite, in which he is an example for all. The historical occasions mentioned in the psalm titles help the reader see how faith applies to real-life situations.

Key Themes

The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God’s people. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song:

  1. Monotheism. The one God, Maker and Ruler of all, will vindicate his goodness and justice in his own time. Everyone must know and love this God, whose purity, power, wisdom, faithfulness, and unceasing love are breathtakingly beautiful.
  2. Creation and fall. Though God made man with dignity and purpose, all people since the fall are beset with sins and weaknesses that only God’s grace can heal.
  3. Election and covenant. The one true God chose a people for himself and bound himself to them by his covenant. This covenant expressed God’s intention to save his people, and through them to bring light to the world.
  4. Covenant membership. In his covenant, God offers grace to his people: forgiveness of their sins, the shaping of their lives to reflect his own glory, and a part to play as light to the Gentiles. Each member of God’s people is responsible to believe God’s promises and to grow in obeying his commands. Those who do this enjoy the full benefits of God’s love and find delight in knowing him. The well-being of God’s people as a whole affects the well-being of each member. Each one shares the joys and sorrows of the others. When believers suffer, they should not seek revenge but should pray. They can be confident that God will make all things right in his own time.
  5. Eschatology. The story of God’s people is headed toward a glorious future, in which all kinds of people will come to know the Lord. The personal faithfulness of God’s people contributes to his ultimate purpose. The Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, will lead his people in the great task of bringing light to the Gentiles.

Types of Psalms

The Psalms can be identified according to some basic categories:

Laments, which lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community (Psalm 12) and individual (Psalm 13) laments. This category is the largest by far, including up to a third of all Psalms.

Hymns of praise, which call God’s people to admire his great attributes and deeds. Examples include Psalms 8; 93; and 145.

Hymns of thanksgiving. As with laments, there are community (Psalm 9) and individual (Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms.

Hymns celebrating God’s law (Psalm 119).

Wisdom psalms (Psalms 1; 37), which reflect themes from the Wisdom Books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).

Songs of confidence, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God amid difficult circumstances (Psalm 23).

Royal psalms, which present the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for God’s people. Some of these are prayers (Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20–21) or by portraying the king’s reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (Psalms 2; 72), or by focusing on the future (Psalm 110).

Historical psalms, which take lessons from the history of God’s dealings with his people (Psalm 78).

Prophetic hymns, which echo the Prophets, calling people to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 81).

Structure

The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.

Book 1 Psalms 1–41 Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26.
Book 2 Psalms 42–72 Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people.
Book 3 Psalms 73–89 The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88).
Book 4 Psalms 90–106 Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89.
Book 5 Psalms 107–150 The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134).
The Global Message of The Psalms

The Global Message of The Psalms

The Psalms are a resounding call for all God’s people and for all the world to sing! We are called to sing songs of confession and trust in God; to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise. The Psalms summon the global church to take up the cause of calling the world to join in such global and eternal songs of trust in, delight in, and worship of God for his magnificence—especially his magnificence displayed in his saving mercy.

Songs of Honest Lament

There is a surprising degree of honesty found in the prayers and songs of the Psalms. We find honest lament to God, with frequent repetition of questions such as “Why?” and “How long?” The psalmist asks in Psalm 42:9, “Why have you forgotten me?” Another psalm wonders, “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1; see also 88:14). “How long, O LORD?” is a frequent cry to God in the Psalms (see 6:3; 13:1; 79:5; 89:46).

Such prayers flow from desperately challenging situations, in which life feels overwhelming. Yet they also reflect the confident expectations of our honest cries to our compassionate and faithful God. The Lord invites his people worldwide to be boldly transparent before him—no masks, no pretense—even when the heart is breaking. He promises never to abandon those who belong to him.

Songs of Repentance and Trust

Songs of repentance are scattered throughout the Psalms. In such songs there are confessions of corporate sin—“Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness” (Ps. 106:6)—and individual songs of penitence (Psalms 6; 25; 32; 38; 51; 130; 143). These are not hopeless laments, but cries to a God who is a gracious deliverer (6:4), who deals with us according to his great love and mercy (51:1), and whose forgiveness flows from his goodness and not ours (130:3–4).

There is abundant reason to trust such a God for every good thing and in every situation (Psalm 23). To such a God we turn in times of great trouble, when we are at an utter loss in this fallen world. When enemies surround us and there is no one to help, God is our hope for deliverance (Psalm 22). Whether the desperate individual (Psalm 13) or the destitute community (Psalm 12) is in view, God is faithful to his promises. His steadfast love endures. He is worthy of our songs!

Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise

The Psalms are a divinely orchestrated hymnbook of thanksgiving and praise for God’s people. The covenant people of God return thanks to God for his wonderful deeds of deliverance, justice, and defense (Psalm 9), and for his favor and mercies (30:5, 7, 8, 10). All of this moves his people to burst into songs of joy and glad dancing (30:11–12).

In the Psalms, the people of God rejoice in all that God is and all that he has done. These songs of praise exalt God for his unsearchable greatness, his glorious splendor, and his awesome deeds (Ps. 145:3–6). He is worshiped as the King over all creation (93:1),the eternal King (10:16), the King of glory (24:8, 10), the King of all the earth (47:7), and the great King above all gods (95:3).

The Global Message of the Psalms

For all God’s people. The global message of the Psalms is that in light of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness there is a song to be sung by all God’s people everywhere—whatever their circumstances, whatever their emotions, whatever their adversity. The song to be sung will be of varied themes: lament, confession, repentance, thanksgiving, or praise to God. All of these, however, are songs of worship, expressing the universal experiences of God’s people. This is worship of God by the individual and the community, local and global, young and old (Ps. 148:12), now and forever (89:52). For a lost world filled with rebellion and sorrow, there is no greater remedy than a song that brings those who sing it to take refuge in God himself: a song for the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the sojourner, the widow, and the fatherless (146:7–9).

A new song. The message of the Psalms is a call to the whole world to “Sing a new song!” “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!” (Ps. 96:1). This is not a song of empty promises, but a song full of hope, a song exulting in the salvation of a covenant keeping and merciful God; not a song that fades, but an enduring, eternal song; a song of a God who lifts us out of mud and mire (69:2, 14).

Celebrating salvation. The book of Psalms opens with a picture of the two ways of life—the blessed and fruitful life of the one who delights in God, and the fleeting life of the wicked who (apart from God) stand condemned (Psalm 1). The world is called to set aside folly and to join in the life and song of the Redeemer, celebrating the salvation that is rooted in the sacrifice of the Savior (Psalm 22). This new song has been sung down through the ages; it continues today throughout the world; and it will one day be sung in the very throne room of God (Rev. 14:3).

Summoning the Nations

To the ends of the earth. The global church has a message for the world: join in this song! It is a celebration that will generate further praise—globally, generationally, and eternally. The church is to “declare his glory among the nations!” (Ps. 96:3). From Israel to the Christian church today to the global kingdom that will one day be known to the very ends of the earth, the redeemed of the Lord will come from every nation, tribe, people, and language, giving God thanks and celebrating his grace (Rev. 7:9).

For all nations. There is a message for the nations: “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!” (Ps. 117:1). The Lord humbles the nations (9:5, 19, 20), but he extends to all an offer of mercy and grace. One day, the nations will become Christ’s inheritance (2:8). This song begins with us but it must not end with us. There is a glorious globalization of the worship of God that we are privileged to help advance. In Christ we have found fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (16:11). In turn we call the nations as well to be glad and sing for joy in him (67:4).

Fulfilled in Jesus. The love and mercy of God that forms the heart of the Psalms explodes onto history with the coming of Christ. It is in and through him that believers worldwide see God’s covenant faithfulness right before their eyes.

Spreading God’s glory. That glorious, global worship of God through Jesus Christ is not yet fully known or complete. Generating it is therefore our glad mission while on this earth. We will not rest till God’s glorious name is blessed forever and the whole earth is filled with his glory (Ps. 72:19).

Psalms Fact #3: How are the Psalms divided?

Fact: How are the Psalms divided?

How are the Psalms divided? The Psalms are divided into five books: 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150. Each book ends with a “doxology,” a hymn of praise to God.

Psalms Fact #4: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?

Fact: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?

What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.

Psalms Fact #6: What is a psalm of lament?

Fact: What is a psalm of lament?

What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational psalms. Others are individual, personal laments. One third of all the Psalms are psalms of lament.

Psalms Fact #7: How many of the Psalms were written by David?

Fact: How many of the Psalms were written by David?

How many of the Psalms were written by David? David is the author of about half of the Psalms. Other authors include Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and the sons of Korah.

Psalms Fact #9: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?

Fact: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?

What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel, while other times they merely rejoiced when Israel faced misfortunes.

Psalms Fact #10: Are the Psalms poetry?

Fact: Are the Psalms poetry?

Are the Psalms poetry? The Psalms often reflect the feelings or emotions of the person who wrote the psalm. The book of Psalms includes poetry that covers all kinds of emotional feelings and experiences, from anguish and sorrow to great joy and thanksgiving.

Psalms Fact #12: How often does the NT quote from the Psalms?

Fact: How often does the NT quote from the Psalms?

How often does the NT quote from the Psalms? Of all the OT books, the Psalms and Isaiah are by far the two most widely quoted in the NT.

Psalms Fact #13: Selah

Fact: Selah

What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader, possibly to mark a pause.

Psalms Fact #20: Snares

Fact: Snares

Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the Psalms, snares serve as symbols of danger or death at the hands of the wicked.

Psalms Fact #27: A helpful guide

Fact: A helpful guide

A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning their prayers after specific psalms.

Psalms Fact #28: Memorizing the Psalms

Fact: Memorizing the Psalms

Memorizing the Psalms. The poetic style of the Psalms make them easy to memorize. Throughout the centuries, many believers have memorized all 150 Psalms.

Psalms Fact #40: How long?

Fact: How long?

How long? This question (79:5) occurs nearly twenty times in the Psalms, more than any other question. It is almost always associated with a psalm of lament, such as Psalm 79.

Structure of Psalms

Structure of Psalms

The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.

Book 1 Psalms 1–41 Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26.
Book 2 Psalms 42–72 Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people.
Book 3 Psalms 73–89 The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88).
Book 4 Psalms 90–106 Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89.
Book 5 Psalms 107–150 The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134).
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

Romans 3 OT Reference
Sinful Condition
v. 10, none is righteous Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20
v. 11a, no one understands Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 11b, no one seeks for God Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one Ps. 14:3/53:3
Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips)
v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9)
v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips Ps. 140:3
v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness Ps. 10:7
Sinful Action
v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7
v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery Isa. 59:7
v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known Isa. 59:8
Summary Statement
v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes Ps. 36:1
Study Notes

Ps. 54:1–3The psalm opens by describing the circumstances: ruthless men, who have no respect for God (they do not set God before themselves) seek my life. In such a case the proper appeal is to God’s name (vv. 1, 6; God’s name can be an image for his personal presence).

Ps. 54:3 strangers. The Ziphites, who belong to Judah, are acting like Gentiles in opposing God’s faithful.

Study Notes

Psalm Ps. 54. This is an individual lament, asking for God’s help against those who threaten the lives of the faithful. The title connects the song to the events of 1 Sam. 23:19, where the Ziphites, among whom David was hiding, promised to hand David over to Saul. The psalm focuses on God’s protection.

Ps. 54:6–7 The worshiper looks forward to continued enjoyment of God’s presence and favor. The freewill offering is a kind of peace offering (Lev. 7:16), which celebrates God’s goodness with a meal in his presence. The schemes of the ruthless cannot keep the faithful away from God forever.

S3:139 Psalm 54

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Psalm 54

I don't know about y'all, but sometimes I pray randomly throughout the day about everything I am going through. This can be as simple as saying a quick prayer before I take a test or play a volleyball match, or as complex as praying for the Lord to guide me in the next season of my life while I work out in the evenings. But how do we know that God actually hears our prayers and acknowledges them? 

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that when He dies on the cross and leaves the earth, He will send us THE helper (John 16:7-13). This helper will always be with us and will hear our prayers. Jesus promises He will never leave us, and He never does. So if Jesus never leaves our side, how could He not hear our prayers? How could He not acknowledge them? 

However, the Lord is not our genie in a bottle, and sometimes it can be hard to remember that. Another thing we must remember is that prayers will most likely take time to be fully answered. Some of my prayers have been consistent for over three years and have still not completely been answered; yet I trust that God is working each day in the little things to make a bigger and better plan for my life. 

We know that God hears. Are we living our lives asking Him for guidance? Do you trust Him to answer the prayers that are important and will have an impact on the life the Lord wants for you?

This month's memory verse

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

– Romans 15:13

Discussion Questions

1. How can you get yourself to the place where, when you ask God to hear your prayer, you fully know in your heart that He is good and will rescue you from every trial? 

2. As we see modeled in Psalm 54:6, are you living out your life praising the name of the Lord who is good? How can you grow in this way? 

3. David had many reasons to despair. He faced enemies determined to kill him; he was betrayed and attacked. In this instance, "strangers have risen against me" and "ruthless men seek my life" (Psalms 54:3). What did David do about this? What would you do? 

4. At the end of Psalm 54:3, we see that people are cruel or angry because they do not let God guide them. In what parts of your life are you letting God guide you, and in what parts of your life are you holding back from God? What can you do to give yourself completely over to the Lord?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Scaman

This is the first of seven prayers inspired by conflicts with various enemies. A short simple confident prayer for help. No extra words. Psalm 54 is terse to the point prayer of salvation in God’s name, prayed with confidence. His confidence includes thankfulness and an above and beyond what is required “free will” offering. God helped him from “every trouble” and will help him again. Psalm 107 :2-3. Let. the redeemed say so. Those who He redeemed from “troubles.” “Troubles” covers a lot of things. Psalms 54 through 60 have seven specified enemies of David and these seven Psalms are prayers from those difficulties memorialized for us according to O. Palmer Robertson in The Flow of the Psalms. The first two are particularly painful because they are betrayals by people who might be expected to be friendly. In Psalm 54, David felt deeply betrayed by the Ziphites who were giving intel about David to Saul because they were from the region of Judah, the same tribal territory as David. They betrayed David twice. 1 Samuel 23:19-24: The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and informed him that David was hiding among them. 1 Samuel 26:1: The Ziphites again informed Saul of David's whereabouts The following Psalm 55 concerns a betrayal by a close friend. Faithfulness and loyal loving kindness of God is highlighted in Psalms, betrayal being the opposite. Some see Book 2 as a poetic version of the book of Exodus. Here just as enemies from without and enemies from without were faced in Exodus, such as conflicts with Korah, 10 spies saying no, Aaron and Miriam and battles with the likes of Amelek , Sinhon, Og so we have strong of prayers of David to help us use in our conflicts. 7 Enemies leading to the prayer: Psalm 54. Betrayed by a group from within Judah. David’s tribe Psalm 55. Betrayed by a close friend Psalm 56. The Philistines Psalm 57. Retreated from Saul to a cave with 600 men Psalm 58. Corrupt judges Psalm 59. Saul’s men on snatch and grab mission target David Psalm 60. Foreign enemies from distant lands
GJ

greg jones

Good morning Elle. I really like your deeper dive and questions. I especially like question 3. Psalm 54 nor the Ziphites in 1 Samuel got much ink, if any, in my Sunday School quarterly growing up. Personally I think that’s too bad. I believe we do ourselves a disservice by just reading over these stories without much thought or a deep question like the one you raise. David had many reasons to despair. He faced enemies determined to kill him; he was betrayed and attacked. In this instance, "strangers have risen against me" and "ruthless men seek my life". Psalm 54:3 A. What did David do about this? Great question. There are two possible answers because there are two instances of the Ziphihites coming to Saul to tell him that David is hiding among them. The first time is 1 Samuel 23:19-24. Just prior to this (1 Samuel 23:1-5) David is told the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and “robbing the threshing floors”. So David “inquired of the LORD” should I attack the Philistines and save Keilah? And God said go. And they did. And we are told that after the Philistines robbed the threshing floors David struck the Philistines a great blow ended up with their livestock. Back on point to “strangers rising up against me” what did David do? Here in act one David runs. Him and his men run around one side of a mountain while Saul and his men run around the other side of the mountain 1 Samuel 23:25-26a. I’m guessing the livestock got left behind. Just before Saul and his men catch David and his men a messenger comes to Saul saying “the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” AKA the Philistines are stealing our livestock. That kind of factors into why I’m guessing the livestock got let behind. So Saul quits chasing David to deal with the Philistines. That’s the short story. It leaves out the details of David having a chance to kill Saul in a cave and David almost killing Abigail’s first husband for insulting him by not giving his men some meat that they didn’t steal from him in the first place. But that’s what David does the first time around. The second time is 1 Samuel 26:1. This time David didn’t run from Saul. He sneaks into Saul’s camp and he’s standing over Saul as he sleeps. You might think it was a Psalm 54:7 moment. For he has delivered me from every trouble,     and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. Because after not killing Saul David wakes him up and they talk it…shout it out and make up. Saul isn’t going to chase David anymore because obviously the LORD is with David. End of chapter. But that would be uncharacteristically psalm like when read along with the narrative. Therefore next chapter. Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.” 1 Samuel 27:1 What happened? What happened to the David who inquired of the LORD concerning the Philistines back in chapter 23? “Now David said in his heart”? What? There is nothing better than I should escape to the land of the Philistines? What,what? Didn’t Saul quit chasing you to go chase the Philistines, within the borders of Israel the first time? What about…I would copy and paste a few Psalm 54 verses to question David’s thinking but the fact is there might have been one time in my life, maybe, when “I thought”. And if “I thought it,” it must’ve been God’s will. B. What would you do?  Hopefully, if I “say in my heart…” such as David did, I’ll stop, and self reflect rather than continue to project. And then, inquire of the Lord. Upon reflection, I might recognize one the strangers that sometimes rises against me. A ruthless man who seeks my thoughts and doesn’t set God before himself… Thank you Elle those really are great questions to reflect on.
SB

Sue Bohlin

SUPER devo, Elle! Loved how you connected David describing God as his helper to Jesus' promise of the Spirit as the Helper in John 16. The NET Bible offers this translator note on "Advocate" in the John passage: Or “Helper” or “Counselor”; Grk “Paraclete,” from the Greek word παράκλητος (paraklētos). Finding an appropriate English translation for παράκλητος is a very difficult task. No single English word has exactly the same range of meaning as the Greek word. “Comforter,” used by some of the older English versions, appears to be as old as Wycliffe. But today it suggests a quilt or a sympathetic mourner at a funeral. “Counselor” is adequate, but too broad, in contexts like “marriage counselor” or “camp counselor.” “Helper” or “Assistant” could also be used, but could suggest a subordinate rank. “Advocate,” the word chosen for this translation, has more forensic overtones than the Greek word does, although in John 16:5-11 a forensic context is certainly present. Because an “advocate” is someone who “advocates” or supports a position or viewpoint and since this is what the Paraclete will do for the preaching of the disciples, it was selected in spite of the drawbacks. I love how the Lord unfolds and develops our understanding of terms and ideas from the Old Testament in the New. When I read Psalm 53:4, "Behold, God is my helper," the Hebrew word "ezer," I was reminded that God gave Eve to Adam as his ezer--same word. It's on the other end of the spectrum from "Hamburger Helper" or "Mother's Little Helper." God's help is BIG and STRONG and MAGNIFICENT, and it connects to the inestimable value of women as helpers of men. And children.
MS

Michael Scaman

And Sue, the Holy Spirit is called Paraclete. Jesus also called Paraclete. Paraclete παράκλητος is used of 2 persons in the New Testament. Jesus also called παράκλητος in 1 John 2:1 where the word advocate is used. So as RC Sproul said there are 2 paracletes. Some would say one on earth and one in heaven. Jesus and Holy Spirit both. 1 John 2:1 (NIV): "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." Here, maybe surprisingly to many, the term παράκλητος is translated as "advocate" and refers to Jesus Christ. Paraclete also has related words with same root for encouragement from God and from other believers. In addition, from the same root for "to call to one's side," "to encourage," "to comfort," or "to exhort." will appears as well. Not exactly the same but related. Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 2 of these being direct encouragement from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (παράκλησις, paraklēsis), who comforts (παρακαλῶν, parakalōn) us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort (παρακαλεῖν, parakalein) those in any trouble with the comfort (παρακλήσεως, paraklēseōs) we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 - "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted (παρακαλέσας, parakalesas) us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort (παρακλήσει, paraklēsei) you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever." The other 3 being encouragement not directly from God but indirectly through other believers Romans 12:8 - "if it is to encourage (παρακαλῶν, parakalōn), then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." 1 Thessalonians 4:18 - "Therefore encourage (παρακαλεῖτε, parakaleite) one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage (παρακαλεῖτε, parakaleite) one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
LD

Lindsey Driscoll

Elle, what a great reminder to us all on the journey today to have the same confidence David did when he was seeking help, he confidently went to God knowing he would answer. Thank you for being an example of ash king God for help, even in your youth. Sue, I love what you said about ezer - God as helper is big and strong, sustaining David even in the face of being pursued by his enemies. There’s a confidence David has in Gods help that I often lack. Big decisions - sure God is my help, small problems of the day - I can be self sufficient, and my feelings - I can be prone to sit and stuff instead of seeing that my given helper, the Holy Spirit can help in all things. Sue - we are continuing to pray for your family. For tomorrow’s service to be a homecoming celebration, for your perfect Ezer God to carry you through moment by moment tomorrow.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Listening to sermons, reading in the Bible, and serving for the church sharing with fellow believers and applying what I learn in daily life are all activities which have helped me know God is good. Praying frequently throughout the day has helped too. Combined,, these practices help me to value God, to know He is good, and that He will rescue me in anything. 2. Yes, and by continuing to praise God, I will grow in faith and get stronger, by studying the Bible and by sharing the goodness of God with others. 3. David asked God for help. If I was in David’s situation, I would ask God for help too. 4. All parts of my life are given to God. No part of my life is held back from God. I can trust God because I learn a little bit about Him everyday and use what I learn from Him in daily life. Elle - Thank you for sharing your ideas. I like your point, “However, the Lord is not our genie in a bottle, and sometimes it can be hard to remember that”. Well said!