What does Psalm 54:3 mean?

The people of Ziph learned that the evil king, Saul, was looking for David. They approached Saul and told him where David had been hiding (1 Samuel 23:19–20). This forced David to once again flee, looking for a new place to rest (1 Samuel 23:24–25). The "strangers" mentioned here are the people who betrayed David to his enemies, and the forces of Saul are the "ruthless men" who want to kill him. That occasion inspired this psalm, where David asks for the Lord's protection and rescue (Psalm 54:1–2).

Although the Ziphites and David were all from the tribe of Judah, the Ziphites turned against David and disregarded the God of Israel. Twice, in fact, they told Saul where to find him (1 Samuel 26:1–2). In the first incident, Saul and his men gave up their chase when Philistines began to raid Israel (1 Samuel 23:26–28). In the second, David convinced Saul that his vendetta was wrong (1 Samuel 26:21). The use of the Hebrew term for "strangers," in this context, refers to people who are unfriendly and hostile.

The Hebrew word selah has no clear definition. Scholars believe it suggests a pause, or a musical interlude. Its use suggests a need for reflection over what has been said.