Psalms 54

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.

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Introduction to chapter 54

See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:29; 1Sa. 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing. (Psa 54:1-7)

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

judge me — as in Psa 7:8; Psa 26:1.

Psalms 54:2

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

Psalms 54:3

strangers — perhaps Ziphites.

oppressors — literally, "terrible ones" (Isa 13:11; Isa 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

(Compare Psa 30:10).

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

Psalms 54:5

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

I will freely, &c. — or, present a freewill offering (Lev 7:16; Num 15:3).

Psalms 54:7

mine eye . . . desire — (compare Psa 59:10; Psa 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).