Bible Commentaries

Psalms 54:1-3. Save me by thy name — That is, by thy own strength, as the next words explain it, because I have no other refuge. Or, for thy name, for thy own glory, which is concerned in my deliverance. And judge me —

Give sentence for me, or plead my cause. For strangers are risen up against me — The Ziphites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious conduct toward him, by which they showed themselves to be estranged from God, as the wicked are said to be, Psalms 58:3, and from the commonwealth of Israel, and from all the laws of piety and humanity. For which causes he calls such persons heathen, Psalms 59:5, and elsewhere. They have not set God before them — They have cast off all regard to his presence and authority, and all fear of his judgments.

Psalms 54:4-5. Behold, God is my helper — Consider it, and see the vanity of all your wicked practices against me. The Lord is with them that uphold my soul — He fights for them, and on my behalf, and therefore against all mine enemies. He shall reward evil to mine enemies — He shall bring upon themselves the mischief they intended for me. Cut them off in thy truth — For, or according to, thy truth; whereby thou art engaged to fulfil thy promises made to me, and thy threatenings denounced against thine and mine implacable enemies.

Psalms 54:6-7. I will freely sacrifice, &c. — Not by constraint, as many do, because they are obliged to do it, and cannot neglect it without shame and inconvenience to themselves; but with a willing and cheerful mind, which thou lovest in and above all sacrifices. I will praise thy name, for it is good — Thy name is not only great, but good, and therefore to be praised. And to praise thy name is not only our duty, but our interest and our happiness. It is pleasant and profitable; good for us, as well as reasonable, just, and good in itself. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble — Hebrew, מכל צרה, michal tzarah, from every strait. Or, as the Seventy render it, εκ πασης θλιψεως, out of every affliction. He speaks of his deliverance as already effected, either to express his assurance of it, or because this Psalm was made after it was wrought. And mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies — Not seen them cut off and ruined, but forced to retreat; tidings being brought to Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land, 1 Samuel 23:27-28. All that David desired was to see himself safe: and when he saw Saul draw off his forces, he saw his desire. The words, his desire, however, are not in the Hebrew, which may be properly rendered, mine eye hath looked upon mine enemies, that is, “mine enemies came near enough to be seen by me, and that was all. God kept them from coming near me, so that they have all been disappointed of their prey.” This was the very case with David. He saw his enemies with pleasure at a distance, and he enjoyed the sight; especially when they marched off and left him to escape. His deliverance was great, and was manifestly the work of God, and he gave God the glory of it.