Psalm 54:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.

NIV: Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

NASB: He will pay back the evil to my enemies; Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

CSB: He will repay my adversaries for their evil. Because of your faithfulness, annihilate them.

NLT: May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.

KJV: He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

NKJV: He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.

Though David was betrayed by the people of Ziph and pursued by Saul (1 Samuel 23:19–20), he was confident that God would rescue him. His prayer for rescue (Psalm 54:1–3) was followed by statements of David's assurance (Psalm 54:4).

Here, David sets aside the burden of revenge. David believes those who seek to kill him we be repaid by God. This is an extension of the Lord's faithful promises and holy nature. These are not idle words, either. On at least two occasions, David had an opportunity to kill Saul, but refused to attack God's then-anointed king of Israel (1 Samuel 24:4–8; 26:8–17). Not only did David state that revenge is best left for God, but he also lived out that belief in his situations.

Instead of retaliating against enemies for the harm they inflict, believers are told not to avenge themselves, "but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:19). Proverbs 26:27 emphasizes the fact that revenge attempts often backfire, saying, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling." In many cases, the person who plans evil brings damage to themselves; with God's guidance, there is no reason for a believer to seek revenge (Proverbs 20:22; 24:29).

Psalm 54:4–7 follows David's prayer for rescue with an expression of absolute confidence. He vows to honor the Lord for answering his prayer. He speaks as if sure the Lord will keep him safe. At the time David wrote this song, he was not near the tabernacle, but fully expected to return there. As part of his confidence, David plans to present a freewill offering and give thanks to the Lord. This was written while David was being betrayed by the people of Ziph and pursued by King Saul (1 Samuel 23:19–20).

David prays for God's rescue and vindication. Heartless, godless men are working to have him killed (1 Samuel 23:19–20). However, David is certain that God is his helper and will keep him alive. He believes God will bring vengeance on those enemies, ending their lives while sparing David. David is so confident in the Lord's rescue that he promises to present a freewill offering when he returns to the sanctuary. David's trust in God is based, in part, on the ways the Lord had helped him in the past.

Psalm 54 is one of the psalms written by David when he was a fugitive from King Saul. David describes his dependence on the Lord to help him in a crisis. The crisis involved the Ziphites' betraying David by telling Saul where he was (1 Samuel 23:19–20; 26:1–2). God rewarded David's confidence and refusal to take revenge (1 Samuel 24:4–8) by sparing his life.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.