1Instrução de Davi, para o regente, para instrumentos de cordas, quando os zifeus vieram, e disseram a Saul: “Não está Davi escondido entre nós?”: Deus, salva-me por teu nome; e faze-me justiça por teu poder.
2Deus, ouve minha oração; inclina teus ouvidos aos dizeres de minha boca;
3Porque estranhos se levantam contra mim, e [homens] terríveis procuram [matar] a minha alma; não põem a Deus diante dos olhos deles. (Selá)
4Eis que Deus é o que me socorre; o Senhor [está] com aqueles que sustentam a minha alma.
5Ele retribuirá com o mal aos que me espiam [contra mim] ; tu os elimina por tua verdade.
6De boa vontade eu te oferecerei sacrifícios; louvarei o teu nome, SENHOR, porque é bom.
7Porque tu tens me livrado de toda angústia; e meus olhos verão [o fim] de meus inimigos.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
David pleads for urgent rescue from strangers and ruthless men seeking his life, affirms that God is his helper, and promises to offer a sacrifice of gratitude when he is delivered from all distress.
Explanation
The title links this short psalm to the moment when the Ziphites (inhabitants of a region in the wilderness of Judah) betrayed David, revealing his hiding place to Saul (1 Samuel 23:19-29 and 26:1) — an example of how even seeming allies could turn against him out of self-interest. Despite its brevity, the psalm follows the classic pattern of lament: an urgent plea, an affirmation of trust in God as helper, and a promise of future gratitude. Today's application: even in the face of unexpected betrayals, it is possible to cry out to God with the assurance that He stands on the side of those who trust Him.
Fun facts
- The Ziphites, mentioned in the title, betrayed David not once but twice according to the account in 1 Samuel (chapters 23 and 26), revealing a pattern of disloyalty that made David's life as a fugitive even more dangerous.
- The Hebrew word for 'strangers' (zarim) in verse 3 can refer to either foreigners or hostile Israelites viewed as 'outsiders' to David's cause — an ambiguity that reflects how betrayal by fellow countrymen was seen as especially grave.