Psalm 54 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 54:1
Verse: יְהוָה, בְּשִׁמְךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי
Transliteration: Adonai b’shimkha hoshieni
English: “Save me, O God, by Your name; vindicate me by Your power.”
Focus Word: הוֹשִׁיעַ (Hoshia)
- Root: י-ש-ע (Yod-Shin-Ayin)
- Meaning: “To save,” “to deliver,” “to rescue.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew hoshia denotes active divine intervention, emphasizing God as Savior in crises.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי — hoshi’eni | Verse 1 — “Save me, O God…” | “To save,” deliver. | Hoshi’eni (“to save”) expresses urgent appeal for divine rescue (“save”). It reveals dependence on God’s power amid treachery. The verb opens the Psalm with crisis-driven trust. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| שְׁמֶךָ — shemekha | Verse 1 — “…by Your name…” | “Name,” character, authority. | Shemekha (“name”) signifies God’s revealed character (“name”). It anchors deliverance in divine identity rather than human strength. The word highlights covenant trust. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| דִּינֵנִי — dineni | Verse 1 — “…and vindicate me.” | “To judge,” execute justice. | Dineni (“to judge”) invokes God as righteous arbiter (“judge/vindicate”). It expresses confidence in divine justice against false accusers. The word sets a legal tone for the Psalm. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| תְּפִלָּתִי — tefillati | Verse 2 — “Hear my prayer…” | “Prayer,” supplication. | Tefillati (“prayer”) stresses sincere pleading (“prayer”). It reveals personal vulnerability before God. The term deepens the Psalm’s devotional urgency. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| זָרִים — zarim | Verse 3 — “Strangers have risen up against me…” | “Strangers,” hostile outsiders. | Zarim (“strangers”) describes ruthless enemies (“strangers”). It highlights lack of relational or covenant basis in the attack. The word intensifies the betrayal’s severity. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| עָרִיצִים — aritzim | Verse 3 — “…oppressors seek after my life.” | “Violent men,” ruthless ones. | Aritzim (“oppressors”) denotes cruel, forceful aggressors (“violent ones”). It emphasizes the psalmist’s vulnerability. The term paints a picture of relentless hostility. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| שָׂמוּ — samu | Verse 3 — “…they have not set God before them.” | “To set/place,” put. | Samu (“to set”) expresses intentional disregard for God (“set/place”). It reveals moral rebellion behind their violence. The word exposes spiritual blindness of the wicked. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| סוֹמֵךְ — somekh | Verse 4 — “Behold, God is my helper…” | “To support,” uphold. | Somekh (“to support”) conveys divine sustaining power (“support”). It expresses God’s active involvement in protection. The word brings contrast between human hostility and divine fidelity. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| יָשִׁיב — yashiv | Verse 5 — “He will repay my enemies…” | “To return,” repay. | Yashiv (“to repay”) denotes divine retribution (“repay/return”). It affirms moral reversal where God answers injustice. The term underscores divine justice. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| אֶזְבְּחָה — ezbechah | Verse 6 — “I will freely sacrifice to You…” | “To sacrifice,” offer. | Ezbechah (“to sacrifice”) expresses voluntary praise through offering (“sacrifice”). It indicates gratitude flowing from deliverance. The word closes the Psalm with worshipful commitment. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Psalm
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin views this psalm as David’s confident appeal for deliverance from treacherous men. God’s name is invoked as the source of victory. Gratitude flows from assured vindication. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition of the Psalms | Henry treats the psalm as a model for crying to God in seasons of betrayal. The psalmist relies on God as helper and sustainer. Praise anticipates sure deliverance. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes interprets the psalm as a plea for divine intervention against deceitful oppressors. God’s help is practical and timely. The psalmist offers thanksgiving in faith. |
| William Walford – Book of Psalms: A Commentary | Walford reads the psalm as an earnest petition grounded in trust. Human hostility drives the psalmist toward God. Rescue inspires voluntary praise. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as expressing deep dependence on divine aid. The psalmist’s enemies reveal the seriousness of the crisis. Deliverance strengthens confidence in God. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Book of Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as showing the believer’s refuge in God alone. The cry for help is met with divine faithfulness. Praise is promised before victory appears. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes: Psalms | Parker interprets the psalm as a moment of distress transformed by trust. God stands as advocate for the righteous. Thanksgiving seals the prayer. |
| Thomas Dale – The Psalms: An Exposition | Dale emphasizes the psalmist’s assurance that God will repay evildoers. Help comes from God’s faithful nature. The psalm ends in confident gratitude. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Sermons (19th c.) | Bonar sees the psalm as a testimony to God’s nearness in danger. Faith rests on His covenant name. Joy arises from certain deliverance. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – The Psalms with Commentary | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the cry of the Church under persecution. God is the sustainer in every assault. Praise follows promised salvation. |
