> [[psalm-53|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-55|Next →]] --- # Psalm 54 ## Confident Prayer in Great Peril 1 For the leader. On stringed instruments. A *maskil* of David, ^psalm-54-1 2 when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “David is hiding among us.” ^psalm-54-2 ### I 3 O God, by your name save me. ^psalm-54-3 By your strength defend my cause. 4 O God, hear my prayer. ^psalm-54-4 Listen to the words of my mouth. 5 Strangers have risen against me; ^psalm-54-5 the ruthless seek my life; they do not keep God before them. *Selah* ### II 6 God is present as my helper; ^psalm-54-6 the Lord sustains my life. 7 Turn back the evil upon my foes; ^psalm-54-7 in your faithfulness, destroy them. 8 Then I will offer you generous sacrifice ^psalm-54-8 and give thanks to your name, LORD, for it is good. 9 Because it has rescued me from every trouble, ^psalm-54-9 and my eyes look down on my foes. \* (Psalm 54) A lament in which the person under attack calls directly upon God for help ([Ps 54:3] – [5]). Refusing to despair, the psalmist hopes in God, who is active in history and just ([Ps 54:6] – [7]). The Psalm ends with a serene promise to return thanks ([Ps 54:8] – [9]). \* (54:3) By your name: one is present in one’s name, hence God as revealed to human beings. a. (54:2) [1 Sm 23:19]; [26:1]. b. (54:5) [Ps 86:14]. c. (54:6) [Ps 118:7]. d. (54:7) [Ps 143:12]. e. (54:9) [Ps 59:11]; [91:8]; [92:12]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-53|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-55|Next →]]