Psalms 54

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good. 7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Commentary

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 54:1

PSALM 54

Psa 54:1-7. See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see 1Sa 23:19, 29; 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing.

1. by thy name--(Psa 5:11), specially, power.

judge me--as in Psa 7:8; 26:1.

Psalms 54:2

2. (Compare Psa 4:1; 5:1).

Psalms 54:3

3. strangers--perhaps Ziphites.

oppressors--literally, "terrible ones" (Is 13:11; 25:3). Such were Saul and his army.

not set ... them--acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Psa 16:8).

Psalms 54:4

4. (Compare Psa 30:10).

with them--on their side, and for me (compare Psa 46:11).

Psalms 54:5

5. He shall ... evil--or, "Evil shall return on" (Psa 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (Psa 6:7).

in thy truth--Thy verified promise.

Psalms 54:6

6. I will freely, &c.--or, present a freewill offering (Le 7:16; Nu 15:3).

Psalms 54:7

7. mine eye ... desire--(compare Psa 59:10; 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare Psa 52:6, 7).

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