Psalm 54
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
<A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?>> Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
PSALM 54

Ps 54:1-7. See on [596]Ps 4:1, title; [597]Ps 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—(Ps 5:11), specially, power.

judge me—as in Ps 7:8; 26:1.

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
2. (Compare Ps 4:1; 5:1).
For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
3. strangers—perhaps Ziphites.

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

not set … them—acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Ps 16:8).

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
4. (Compare Ps 30:10).

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

He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
5. He shall … evil—or, "Evil shall return on" (Ps 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (Ps 6:7).

in thy truth—Thy verified promise.

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
6. I will freely, &c.—or, present a freewill offering (Le 7:16; Nu 15:3).
For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
7. mine eye … desire—(compare Ps 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 Ps 52:6, 7).
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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