Psalms 54:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 54:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, God is my helper: The Lord is of them that uphold my soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, God is my helper: The Lord is of them that uphold my soul.
Psalms 54:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 54

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Behold, God is my helper: The Lord is of them that uphold my soul.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, God [is] mine helper, etc.] This being a matter of wonder to be helped in so extraordinary a manner, and a sure and certain case, and what was deserving the attention of others; for the encouragement of their faith and hope in like cases, a “behold” is prefixed unto it: and what is here said is true of David’s son, the Messiah, and is expressed by him in much the same language, (<235009>Isaiah 50:9); and of all the saints whom the Lord helps, as at first conversion, out of the pit wherein is no water, out of the horrible pit, the mire and clay of nature’s darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; so out of all their afflictions and temptations, and out of the hands of all their enemies; he…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Psa 30:10). with them--on their side, and for me (compare Psa 46:11).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, God is mine helper - That is, God alone can aid me in these circumstances, and to him I confidently look. The Lord is with them that uphold my soul - My friends; those who have rallied around me to defend me; those who comfort me by their presence; those who sustain me in my cause, and who keep me from sinking under the burden of my accumulated troubles. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 118:6, Psa 118:7, Psa 118:13; Ch1 12:18; Isa 41:10, Isa 42:1, Isa 50:7-9; Rom 8:31; Heb 13:6 Psalms 54:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Heb.: 54:6-9) In this second half, the poet, in the certainty of being heard, rejoices in help, and makes a vow of thanksgiving. The בּ of בּסמכי is not meant to imply that God is one out of many who upheld his threatened life; but rather that He comes within the category of such, and fills it up in Himself alone, cf. Psa 118:7; and for the origin of this Beth essentiae, Psa 99:6, Jdg 11:35. In Psa 54:7 the Kerמ merits the preference over the Chethמb (evil shall "revert" to my spies), which would at least require על instead of ל (cf. Psa 7:17). Concerning שׁררי, vid., on Psa 27:11. In the rapid transition to invocation in Psa 54:7 the end of the Psalm announces itself. The truth of God is…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification