SAVE ME, O GOD, BY THY NAME

The title given to this psalm directs us back to 1 Sam. 23. 19; 26. 1, where there are recorded the circumstances of the psalmist which form the background. The whole of chapter 23 should be read, because it throws much light on the psalm. David is a fugitive, hunted by Saul who sought his life. He had been made aware by God of the treachery of the men of Keilah, 1 Sam. 23. 12, and then the Ziphims inform Saul of his hideout.

Note how David addresses his prayer, “Save me, O God, by thy name”. The Name involved is “Elohim” (The Triune God), used four times in verses 1-4. He also uses two other titles, “Adonai” (Sovereign Lord), v. 4, and “Jehovah” (The Ever Existing One), v. 6. Both appear as “Lord” in the A.V. In his prayer for direction, 1 Sam. 23. 10-11, David combined both “Elohim” and “Jehovah” in his address, “O Lord God of Israel”. Knowledge of the many facets of God’s character conveyed in His Names gave David confidence in the direst of situations. For other interesting references to His Name, see Psa. 20. 1, 5, 7; 33. 21; 44. 5.

David’s trust in God incited the hostility of his enemies. Unlike him, “they have not set God before them”, v. 3; cf. Psa. 53. Because of this, he regarded them as “strangers” both to God and to himself, possibly because of his trust in God about which he was not ashamed to testify, “God is mine helper”, v. 4. Even Saul had to admit to him, “Thou art more righteous than I”, 1 Sam. 24. 17.

David’s cry was answered in a remarkable way, 1 Sam. 23. 27, 28. Either after the deliverance or in confident anticipation of it, he says in gratitude, “I will praise thy name, O Lord (Jehovah)”, v. 6. In using the title “Jehovah”, he testifies to God’s trustworthiness.

Our Lord in His prayer, John 17, refers to the Name of His Father, vv. 6, 26, which He had revealed to His own. This was something new—a revelation of God as Father which was not known in O.T. times. It is as sons of the Father that we have great boldness in prayer:

“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you”, John 16. 23.