Psalm 54 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 54

For the worship leader. A contemplative song[a] of David when his friends, the Ziphites, betrayed him to Saul. Accompanied by strings.

This is a lament reflecting the time when David was betrayed to Saul (1 Samuel 23:6–29). It expresses hope that God will save by His name. The name refers to the covenant name given to Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 3). We have translated it “the Eternal One.” For the ancients the name of God has power precisely because it embodies the presence of God. To call upon the name was to call upon God to remember His covenant promises and be present in power in order to rescue His people.

1 Liberate me, O God, by the authority of Your name.
Vindicate me through Your legendary power.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
let the words of my mouth reach Your sympathetic ear.

3 The truth is, these strangers are rallying against me;
cold-blooded men seek to slay me;
they have no respect for You.

[pause][b]

4 But see now! God comes to rescue me;
the Lord is my valiant supporter.
5 He will repay my enemies for the harm they have done; they are doomed!
According to Your faithful promises, silence them.

6 I will sacrifice to You willingly;
I will lift Your name by shouts of thanksgiving, O Eternal One, for Your name is good.
7 God has pulled me out from every one of the troubles that encompass me,
and I have seen what it means to stand over my enemies in triumph.

Footnotes

  1. 54:title Hebrew, maskil
  2. 54:3 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 54 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

54 To the Overseer with stringed instruments. -- An instruction, by David, in the coming in of the Ziphim, and they say to Saul, `Is not David hiding himself with us?' O God, by Thy name save me, and by Thy might judge me. 2 O God, hear my prayer, Give ear to the sayings of my mouth, 3 For strangers...
Read More

Psalm 54 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

54 To victory in organs, either in psalms, the learning of David, when Ziphims came, and said to Saul, Whether David is not hid at us? God, in thy name, make thou me safe; and in thy virtue, deem thou me. (To victory, on instruments, or in songs, the teaching of David, when the Ziphims came, and sai...
Read More

Psalm 54 - World English Bible (WEB)

For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Isn’t David hiding himself among us?”54 Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might.2 Hear my prayer, God. Listen to the words of my mouth.3 For strangers have risen up aga...
Read More

Psalm 54 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 54For the worship leader. A contemplative song[a] of David when his friends, the Ziphites, betrayed him to Saul. Accompanied by strings.This is a lament reflecting the time when David was betrayed to Saul (1 Samuel 23:6–29). It expresses hope that God will save by His name. The name refers to ...
Read More

Psalm 54 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Surely God is My HelperPsalm 541 For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David, 2 when the Ziphites came and said to Saul: “Is not David hiding himself among us?”3 O God, save me by Your Name,vindicate me by Your might.4 O God, hear my prayer,listen to the words of ...
Read More

Psalm 54 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Prayer for VindicationTo the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”54 Save me, O God, by thy name,and vindicate me by thy might.2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For insolent men[a] h...
Read More

Psalm 54 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Prayer for VindicationTo the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”54 Save me, O God, by thy name,and vindicate me by thy might.2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For insolent men[a] h...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 54Prayer for VindicationTo the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For the insolent...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 54Prayer for VindicationTo the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, ‘David is in hiding among us.’1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For the insolent...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 54Prayer for VindicationTo the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.(A)2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.(B)3 For the ins...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 54For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments.1 Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might.2 Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention ...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New Life Version (NLV)

Prayer for a Safe Place54 Save me by Your name, O God. And stand with me by Your power. 2 Hear my prayer, O God. Listen to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen against me. And men who hurt others want to take my life. They do not think about God. 4 See, God is my Helper. The Lord is t...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Answered Prayer for Deliverance from AdversariesTo the Chief Musician. With [a]stringed instruments. A [b]Contemplation of David (A)when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding with us?”54 Save me, O God, by Your name,And vindicate me by Your strength.2 Hear my prayer, O God;Give ea...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 54[a]For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[b] of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, ‘Is not David hiding among us?’1 Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.2 Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. 3 Arrogant foes are ...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 54[a]For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[b] of David. When the Ziphites(A) had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”1 Save me(B), O God, by your name;(C) vindicate me by your might.(D)2 Hear my prayer, O God;(E) listen to the words of my mouth. 3 Arr...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 54For the director of music. To be played on stringed instruments. A maskil of David when the men from Ziph had gone to Saul. They had said, “Isn’t David hiding among us?”1 God, save me by your power. Set me free by your might.2 God, hear my prayer. Listen to what I’m saying. 3 Enemies who are...
Read More

Psalm 54 - New English Translation (NET)

Psalm 54[a]For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song[b] by David. It was written when the Ziphites came and informed Saul: “David is hiding with us.”[c]54 O God, deliver me by your name.[d]Vindicate me[e] by your power.2 O God, listen to my prayer.Pay att...
Read More