What does Psalm 54:1 mean?

Before David ruled Israel, he was pursued by King Saul, who had turned from God and was murderously jealous of David. When David was hiding in a region called Ziph, locals informed Saul (1 Samuel 23:19–20), who planned to send men to kill David (1 Samuel 23:23).

Here, David prays for deliverance, evoking God's name. This does not mean to use a name as a magical spell or talisman. Rather, it means to appeal to the nature and authority of the Lord. God's "name" represents His perfect character and what He has done. David knew he could trust the Lord to do what was right. Because of the promises made to David by God (1 Samuel 16:13), David was confident he would be rescued. To be "vindicated" is to be proven blameless, or in the right. The evil men who wanted to kill David thought he deserved that fate. God had the power to squelch those lies and show that David was the righteous one in that conflict.

Jesus promised blessing for maligned believers. He said, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so thy persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11–12). Instead of trying to retaliate when others speak or act against them, the believer should leave matters in God's hands. God has said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Romans 12:19).