Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

Ps 54 In this individual lament, occasioned by violent and godless people (54:3), the psalmist turns to God in prayer and maintains his focus on God’s help (54:4). He prays for God to save him from evil and to judge his enemies (54:5, 7).

54:title This psalm refers to the account of 1 Sam 23:19-20, when the Ziphites were bent on violence.

Verse 3

54:3 The strangers were alienated from the covenant community (see 109:11; Prov 5:10). • Proud and violent people hold no regard for God or for other people (see Pss 35:11, 25; 86:14; Prov 11:16).

Verse 6

54:6-7 In anticipation of God’s response, the mood of the psalm changes from gloom to thanksgiving.

54:6 A voluntary offering is a sacrifice of praise. Sacrifices of praise are the kind of offering God most desires (see Ps 50:14-15, 23).