Psalm 54 · a question people ask
The Ziphites came to Saul twice in 1 Samuel. Which time does the title mean?
The title doesn't say. It says only "when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Isn’t David hiding himself among us?”" (54:1). 1 Samuel gives the Ziphites the same question twice. The first time they "came up to Saul to Gibeah" (1 Samuel 23:19), and their question has all four of the title's Hebrew words (halo David mistatter immanu). The second time they "came to Saul to Gibeah" (1 Samuel 26:1), and their question has the first three. The title's came is the verb of 1 Samuel 26:1's came (bo); 23:19's came up is another verb. Neither detail settles it, and the title names no place or time beyond the Ziphites' words. After the first visit, "Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines" (1 Samuel 23:28). After the second, David's last words to Saul end, "let him deliver me out of all oppression" (1 Samuel 26:24), with the Hebrew words of the psalm's last line, "out of all trouble" (54:7). These notes don't choose between them.
The verses
“For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Isn’t David hiding himself among us?” Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might.”
“For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.”
“Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?”
“So Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.”