Psalms
Chapter 54
David asks God to rescue him from violent men who are hunting him and who pay no attention to God. He states his confidence that God is his helper and asks God to stop his enemies. The psalm ends with a promise to bring an offering and thank God, because God has already rescued him from every trouble.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
1God, save me by the power of your name. Use your strength to show that I am in the right.
"Judge me" here does not mean "decide if I am guilty." It means "take my side and prove I am in the right."
2Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
2God, listen to my prayer. Pay attention to the words I am saying.
3For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
3People I do not even know have turned against me. Cruel men are trying to kill me. They give no thought to God at all. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word left untranslated. It appears in psalms that were sung, and it probably marked a pause or a musical break.
4Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
4Look: God is the one who helps me. The Lord is the one who holds my life up.
5He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
5He will pay my enemies back for the evil they do. You always keep your word, so put an end to them.
6I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
6I will bring you an offering because I want to, not because I have to. I will praise your name, LORD, because your name is good.
7For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
7He has rescued me from every trouble. I have watched my enemies fail, and I have seen it with my own eyes.
The King James wording is "mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies." The words "his desire" were added by the translators; the Hebrew simply says his eye has looked on his enemies, meaning he has seen them defeated.
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