David’s flight from Saul is a period in which a large number of his psalms were written. This is commonly referred to as the “Songs of the Outlaw”. Fourteen psalms begin with the superscriptions linking them to specific events in the life of David (Ps. 3; 7; 18; 30; 34; 51; 52; 54; 56; 57; 59; 60; 63; 142). Nine of these fourteen psalms are linked specifically to events occurring during David’s persecution by Saul (Ps. 18; 34; 52; 54; 56; 57; 59; 63; 142). Six of the nine psalms are clustered together in a group of fifteen psalms ascribed to David in Book 2 of the Psalter (Ps. 51 – 65).
These psalms are classic illustrations of the adage that “poets learn in suffering what they teach in song”. Ironically, the sweetest songs are born out of the saddest moments. As we read these psalms in connection with their events in 1 Samuel, we observe how God uses the refining fires of persecution to forge and shape the character and faith of David.
The remainder of the psalms with the superscriptions, link to specific occasions after David becomes king, which therefore become the “Songs of the King”.
Using the occasion set by the superscriptions of these fourteen psalms, the following is their chronological placement in the narrative flow of the life of David in 1 and 2 Samuel.
Songs of the Outlaw
| 1 Samuel 19:11 – 12 | Psalm 59 |
| 1 Samuel 21:1 – 9; 22:6 – 23 | Psalm 52 |
| 1 Samuel 21:10 – 15 | Psalm 34; 56 |
| 1 Samuel 22:1, 24:3 | Psalm 57; 142 |
| 1 Samuel 23:14 | Psalm 63 |
| 1 Samuel 23:19 | Psalm 54 |
| 1 Samuel 24:9 – 15 | Psalm 7 |
Songs of the King
| 2 Samuel 6:17 – 19 | Psalm 30 |
| 2 Samuel 7 | Psalm 89 |
| 2 Samuel 8:3 | Psalm 60 |
| 2 Samuel 12:1 | Psalm 51 |
| 2 Samuel 15:13 | Psalm 3 |
| 2 Samuel 22 | Psalm 18 |
