Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · Psalms Kapitel 54

Ps 54:1-7.

See on

Ps 4:1,

title;

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.

2. (Compare

Ps 4:1; 5:1).

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).

4. (Compare

Ps 30:10).

with them--on their side, and for me (compare

Ps 46:11).

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.

6. I will freely, &c.--or, present a freewill offering

(Le 7:16; Nu 15:3).

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).