Psalm 54 is the third maskil of David out of four in a row. Neginoth in the superscription, which may be part of the postscript of Psalm 53, is probably correctly rendered in the NKJV as "stringed instruments" (and in the next superscription, which may be part of the postscript of this psalm).

Psalm 54 begins a cluster of seven prayers of David for help against enemies and betrayal at the center of Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 54-60). Note in going through these psalms that the main weapon of the enemy in most of them is the mouth. We earlier read Psalm 54 in conjunction with the account of the event mentioned in the superscription--when the people of Ziph informed Saul that David was hiding in that area (see the Beyond Today Bible Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15-29; Psalm 54).

These informants put David's life in danger, as Saul was out to kill him. So David prays for God to save him by His "name" (verse 1), meaning everything God's identity implies--who He is and what He stands for. He further asks God to vindicate him (same verse)--the context here meaning either to prove David right for trusting God (by God coming through for him) or to prove David, though a fugitive, in the right (by saving him and judging his enemies).

The "strangers" who have risen against David (verse 3) apparently refers to the Ziphite informants. And the "oppressors" seeking his life (same verse) would seem to refer to Saul and his officers. None of these, David says, are following God.

In verses 4-5, David declares his confidence in God to help him and his supporters and to punish his enemies. He prays, "Cut them off in Your truth." The Expositor's Bible Commentary states: "The resolution of the prayer lies in the conviction that God is just. He will not permit his children to suffer without vindication. The imprecation [or curse] is not vindictive but expressive of trust in divine justice. Evil must be repaid. The people of God believed in the boomerang effect of sin: 'Let evil recoil [i.e., come back on those who perpetrate it]'" (note on verse 5).

Trusting in God's deliverance, David says he will "freely sacrifice" to God (verse 6)--or "sacrifice a freewill offering" (NIV). This refers to a peace offering (see Leviticus 7:11-18; Leviticus 22:18-30; Numbers 15:1-10), "given only when the worshipper wanted to say an extra-special thanks to God for his gracious, saving love" (George Knight, Psalms, Daily Study Bible Series, comments on Psalm 54).

God's name, hearkening back to verse 1, is good-and worthy of praise (verse 6). Verse 7 may mean that deliverance has come in the midst of the song's composition, though it perhaps more likely means that David has foreseen it clearly. Rather than including the NKJV's interpolated words "its desire," a better sense might simply be "My eye has seen what will come upon my enemies."