Psalm 54 is the 54th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 53. In Latin, it is known as "Deus in nomine tuo salvum me fac", Attributed to David, it was written for one who finds oneself betrayed by a friend. The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant liturgies.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

King James Version

The following is the full English text of the Psalm from the King James Bible.

Verse numbering

Verses 1 and 2 in the Hebrew Bible correspond to the designation in English translations: Verses 1–7 in English versions correspond to verses 3–9 in the Hebrew text. The Ziphims lived in the wilderness of Ziph, a district to the south-east of Hebron in the Judean mountains.

Commentary

The historical setting of this short Psalm is given in its title, almost a direct quotation from (a similar style of historical setting as with Psalm 52). It is considered one of the psalms containing prayers against false accusations, linked with an ordeal, the taking of an oath, or an appeal to the 'higher court', as indicated in the following points: It can also be described as a lament, prayer, or complaint of an individual. Verses 1-3 pray for help and answer. Following an appeal (verses 1–2), the psalmist describes the danger facing him (verse 3), but maintains his confidence in God. In the second half of the psalm (verses 4–7), the poet, in the certainty of being heard, rejoices in help, and makes a vow of thanksgiving, he promises to sacrifice a free-will offering to express 'the voluntary gratitude of a thankful heart' (verses 6–7, another example of the 'certainty of hearing').

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the tenth day of the month. The Psalm is a Proper Psalm for Mattins on Good Friday.

Uses

Musical settings

Heinrich Schütz set Psalm 54 in a metred version in German, "Hilf mir, Gott, durch den Namen dein", SWV 151, as part of the Becker Psalter, first published in 1628. Alan Hovhaness set text from this Psalm and from Psalms 55 and 56 in his choral work Make a Joyful Noise.