Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's Commentary
Commentary on Psalms 54
Verse 2
(Compare Psa 4:1; Psa 5:1).
Verse 3
strangers--perhaps Ziphites.
oppressors--literally, "terrible ones" (Isa 13:11; Isa 25:3). Such were Saul and his army.
not set . . . them--acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Psa 16:8).
Verse 4
(Compare Psa 30:10).
with them--on their side, and for me (compare Psa 46:11).
Verse 5
He shall . . . evil--or, "Evil shall return on" (Psa 7:16) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil (Psa 6:7).
in thy truth--Thy verified promise.
Verse 6
I will freely, &c.--or, present a freewill offering (Lev 7:16; Num 15:3).
Verse 7
mine eye . . . desire--(compare Psa 59:10; Psa 112:8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare Psa 52:6-7).
Next: Psalms Chapter 55
See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:29; 1Sa. 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing. (Psa 54:1-7)
by thy name-- (Psa 5:11), specially, power.
judge me--as in Psa 7:8; Psa 26:1.