Psalms 54 (YLT)

Chapter Text

54:1 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.

54:2 O God, hear my prayer, Give ear to the sayings of my mouth,

54:3 For strangers have risen up against me And terrible ones have sought my soul, They have not set God before them. Selah.

54:4 Lo, God <FI>is<Fi> a helper to me, The Lord <FI>is<Fi> with those supporting my soul,

54:5 Turn back doth the evil thing to mine enemies, In Thy truth cut them off.

54:6 With a free will-offering I sacrifice to Thee, I thank Thy name, O Jehovah, for <FI>it is<Fi> good,

54:7 For, from all adversity He delivered me, And on mine enemies hath mine eye looked!

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "overseer", "stringed", "instruments", "instruction", "david", "coming", "ziphim", and "saul". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "overseer" and "stringed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local YLT text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "overseer" and "stringed" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "overseer" and "stringed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.