Psalms54
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might.
2 Hear my prayer, God. Listen to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen up against me. Violent men have sought after my soul. They haven’t set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.
5 He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth.
6 With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.
Study
Psalms 54Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 54. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David complains of the malice of his enemies. (1–3). Assurance of the Divine favour and protection. (4–7).
vv1-3
God is faithful, though men are not to be trusted, and it is well for us it is so. David has no other plea to depend upon than God's name, no other power to depend upon than God's strength, and these he makes his refuge and confidence. This would be the effectual answer to his prayers. Looking unto David, betrayed by the men of Judah, and to Jesus, betrayed by one of his apostles, what can we expect from any who have not set God before them, save ingratitude, treachery, malice, and cruelty? What bonds of nature, or friendship, or gratitude, or covenant, will hold those that have broken through the fear of God? Selah; Mark this. Let us set God before us at all times; for if we do not, we are in danger of despair.
vv4-7
Behold, God is mine Helper. If we are for him, he is for us; and if he is for us, we need not fear. Every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. The Lord will in due time save his people, and in the mean time he sustains them, and bears them up, so that the spirit he has made shall not fail. There is truth in God's threatenings, as well as in his promises; sinners that repent not, will find it so to their cost. David's present deliverance was an earnest of further deliverance. He speaks of the completion of his deliverance as a thing done, though he had as yet many troubles before him; because, having God's promise for it, he was as sure of it as if it was done already. The Lord would deliver him out of all his troubles. May he help us to bear our cross without repining, and at length bring us to share his victories and glory. Christians never should suffer the voice of praise and thanksgiving to cease in the church of the redeemed.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
נְגִינָה: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
מַשְׂכִּיל: instructive, i.e. a didactic poem
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
זִיפִי: a Ziphite or inhabitant of Ziph
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
סָתַר: to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Psalms 54Historical context of the Ziphites betraying David to Saul, giving rise to this prayer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Appeal for God to judge and vindicate based on integrity and His power.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Beholding the desire/overthrow upon enemies through God's merciful preservation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrast between setting God always before oneself versus the wicked who do not.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Treating Israelite oppressors as heathen/strangers due to their godless cruelty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The direct cry for God to be the helper of the soul.
Supported by JFB
The heart established without fear, looking upon the defeat of adversaries.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal echo: proud/strangers rising up, violent men seeking the soul without setting God before them.
Supported by John Calvin
The Lord taking part with those who help and uphold the soul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prayer for enemies to be cut off in God's mercy and truth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Praising the name of the Lord because it is good.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Urgent, consecutive parallel cries to God to hear prayer and give ear.
Supported by JFB
Workers of iniquity who consume God's people and do not call upon Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The righteous rejoicing when seeing the divine vengeance and judgment executed.
Supported by Matthew Poole