JFB : Psalms 54

      @Ps 54:1-7. See on Ps 4:1, title; Ps 32:1, title; for the history, see @1Sa 23:19,29 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing.

      1. by thy name--(@Ps 5:11), specially, power.
      judge me--as in @Ps 7:8 26:1.

      2. (Compare @Ps 4:1 5:1).

      3. strangers--perhaps Ziphites.
      oppressors--literally, "terrible ones" (@Isa 13:11 25:3). Such were Saul and his army.
      not set . . . them--acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare @Ps 16:8).

      4. (Compare @Ps 30:10).
      with them--on their side, and for me (compare @Ps 46:11).

      5. He shall . . . evil--or, "Evil shall return on" (@Ps 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (@Ps 6:7).
      in thy truth--Thy verified promise.

      6. I will freely, &c.--or, present a freewill offering (@Le 7:16 Nu 15:3).

      7. mine eye . . . desire--(compare @Ps 59:10 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare @Ps 52:6,7).