Psalms 54:3

Psalms 54:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
• New International Version (NIV)Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
• New Living Translation (NLT)For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God. Interlude

Context of Psalms 54:3

1O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. 2O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah 4Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.

Psalms 54:3 word by word

כִּ֤י זָרִ֨ים׀ קָ֤מוּ עָלַ֗י וְֽ֭עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י לֹ֤א שָׂ֨מוּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים לְנֶגְדָּ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For strangersזוּרzûr · be a strangerH2114
• are risen upקוּםqûm · to arise: attackH6965
• against me, and oppressorsעָרִיץ‛ârîyts · ruthlessH6184
• seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• after my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: lifeH5315
• they have not setשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: makeH7760
• Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• Selahסֶ֫לָהselâh · SelahH5542

Cross-references for Psalms 54:3

• Psalms 69:8I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons.
• Psalms 86:14O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
• Job 19:13"He has put my brothers far from me, and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me.
• Psalms 22:16For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—
• Psalms 59:3For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
• Matthew 27:20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
• Psalms 16:8I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
• Psalms 36:1Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
• Psalms 53:4Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
• John 16:3And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Commentaries on Psalms 54:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Strangers are risen up against me - The Ziphites. And oppressors - Saul, his courtiers, and his army. They have not set God before them - It is on no religious account, nor is it to accomplish any end, on which they can ask the blessing of God. Selah - This is true.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For strangers are risen up against me - That is, foreigners; those of another nation or land. Saul and his friends who sought the life of David were his own countrymen; these persons who sought go betray him were another people. They attempted to gain the favor of Saul, or to secure a reward from him, by betraying to him an innocent man whom he was persecuting. And oppressors seek after my soul - Seek after my life. The word here rendered “oppressors”…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The strangers were excluded from the covenant community (see Psalm 109:11; Proverbs 5:10). Proud and violent people do not respect God or others (see Psalms 35:11, 25; 86:14; Proverbs 11:16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. strangers--perhaps Ziphites. oppressors--literally, "terrible ones" (Is 13:11; 25:3). Such were Saul and his army. not set ... them--acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Psa 16:8).Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 54:3

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Godlessness

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Neginoth
• Psalms
• Psalms, Book of
• Ziphims
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 54

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary