Bible Commentaries
Psalms 54

Introduction

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.

Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes.

Verses 1-7

LIV. The Psalmist Prays for Deliverance from Powerful and Bitter Foes.— He trusts in God who will destroy his enemies. When that is done, he will offer sacrifice in thanksgiving. His enemies are Jews— for who would expect heathen to “ set God before their eyes” ( Psalms 54:3)? True, we are told expressly in Psalms 54:3 that the adversaries are “ strangers,” i.e. foreigners, but we should read “ insolent men.” Cf. also Psalms 86:14.

Psalms 54:1 . The name sums up all the attributes of God, but especially His power. See on Psalms 5 and cf. Psalms 124:8.

Psalms 54:7 . hath delivered: a future-perfect of confident expectation.