Psalms 54:3

“For strangers are risen up against me, etc.] Meaning such as Doeg the Edomite, or Heathen soldiers, that Saul had hired and took into his army, who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; and such as these rose up against David’s antitype, the Messiah, (<190201>Psalm 2:1,2) (<440427>Acts 4:27). Or rather the Ziphims, who were of his own nation, yea, of his own tribe, yet used him as barbarously as the very Heathens would have done, or worse; and who, though notwithstanding they were of Israel, might not be Israelites indeed, but strangers to an inward experience of divine and spiritual things: for men may be professors of religion, and yet be strangers to God in Christ, to Christ…”

“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).”

“For 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” means people of violence; the proud; the haughty; persecutors; tyrants. The word properly denotes those who exert their power in an arbitrary manner, or not under the sanction of law. They have not set God before them - They do not act as in…”

“Strangers - The Zephites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious carriage. Psalms 54:5”

“54:3 The strangers were alienated from the covenant community (see 109:11; Prov 5:10). • Proud and violent people hold no regard for God or for other people (see Pss 35:11, 25; 86:14; Prov 11:16).”

“strangers: Psa 69:8, Psa 86:14; Job 19:13-15 oppressors: Psa 22:16, Psa 59:3-5; Mat 27:20-23 they have: Psa 16:8, Psa 36:1, Psa 53:4; Joh 16:3 Psalms 54:4”