Psa 54 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 54:1-7: 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.

Summary for Ps 54:1-7: Ps 54 ^a In this individual lament, occasioned by violent and godless people (54:3 ^b), the psalmist turns to God in prayer and maintains his focus on God’s help (54:4 ^c). He prays for God to save him from evil and to judge his enemies (54:5 ^d, 7 ^e). 54:title ^f This psalm refers to the account of 1 Sam 23:19-20 ^g, when the Ziphites were bent on violence.
54:3 ^h The strangers were alienated from the covenant community (see 109:11 ⁱ; Prov 5:10 ^j).

• Proud and violent people hold no regard for God or for other people (see Pss 35:11 ^k, 25 ^l; 86:14 ^m; Prov 11:16 ⁿ).
Summary for Ps 54:6-7: 54:6-7 ^o In anticipation of God’s response, the mood of the psalm changes from gloom to thanksgiving. 54:6 ^p A voluntary offering is a sacrifice of praise. Sacrifices of praise are the kind of offering God most desires (see Ps 50:14-15 ^q, 23 ^r).