Psalm 54 3

Psalm 54:3 kjv

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

Psalm 54:3 nkjv

For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah

Psalm 54:3 niv

Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me? people without regard for God.

Psalm 54:3 esv

For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah

Psalm 54:3 nlt

For strangers are attacking me;
violent people are trying to kill me.
They care nothing for God. Interlude

Psalm 54 verses

Psalm 54 3 Meaning

Psalm 54:3 conveys David's urgent plea for divine deliverance, rooted in the nature of his adversaries. He describes them as "strangers" and "oppressors" who are actively seeking to end his life. The crucial and damning accusation against them is that they operate without any regard for God; they "have not set God before them," indicating their godless disposition and actions, which form the core reason for David's petition to a God who indeed sets Himself before His people.

Psalm 54 3 Context

Psalm 54 is titled "A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, 'Has not David hidden himself among us?'" This superscription grounds the psalm in a specific historical event described in 1 Samuel 23 and 26. David, having been anointed king, was on the run from King Saul, who sought his life out of jealousy. The Ziphites, who belonged to the tribe of Judah, David's own tribe, betrayed David's whereabouts to Saul, forcing him to flee. Thus, the "strangers" refer not to foreign nations, but to fellow Israelites acting as adversaries, deepening the sense of betrayal. The context reveals David's dire situation, surrounded by enemies and in immediate danger of his life. His appeal for salvation is urgent and personal, based on the stark contrast between his devotion to God and his enemies' blatant disregard for Him.

Psalm 54 3 Word analysis

• For strangers (כִּֽי־זָרִים - ki-zarim):
  • Zarim primarily means "foreigners," "aliens," or "non-kinsmen." In this context, given the historical setting of the Ziphites, it signifies a profound betrayal. These were not external national enemies, but internal community members acting hostilely, as if they were foreigners to the covenant or David's cause.
  • This implies disloyalty and acting contrary to expected solidarity among Israelites, portraying them as those who have alienated themselves from God's people or His covenant.
• are risen up against me (קָמוּ עָלַי - qamu ‘alay):
  • Conveys an active, hostile posture and aggression. They have taken a stand with malevolent intent. It suggests an aggressive confrontation and an organized effort.
• and oppressors (וְעָרִיצִים - v''aritsim):
  • ‘Aritsim denotes the ruthless, violent, and powerful. It describes those who cause terror and act with tyrannical power, without regard for justice or mercy. They are not merely adversaries, but dangerous and cruel individuals.
• seek after my soul (נַפְשִׁי בִקְשׁוּ - nafshi biqshu):
  • Nafshi refers to David's very life, his being, or person.
  • Biqshu means "they sought" or "they pursued." The phrase together emphasizes a direct and existential threat—they aim to take his life, not merely injure him. It conveys the seriousness of the danger David faces.
• they have not set God before them (לֹא־שָׂמוּ אֱלֹהִים לְנֶגְדָּם - lo-samu Elohim l'negdam):
  • Lo-samu means "they have not placed" or "they have not appointed." It points to a deliberate lack or omission.
  • Elohim is the general Hebrew name for God.
  • L'negdam means "before them" or "in their presence."
  • This phrase is pivotal. It means the enemies operate without any fear, reverence, or consideration for God's presence, laws, or judgment. Their actions are uninhibited by divine accountability, revealing a fundamental godlessness that is the root cause of their oppressive behavior. They disregard divine morality entirely.
• Selah (סֶלָה - Selah):
  • A liturgical or musical notation, usually interpreted as a pause for reflection or an exclamation. In this context, it signals a moment to ponder the gravity of the declaration about the enemies' godless nature. It emphasizes the truth just stated, that the absence of God in their hearts defines their evil.

Words-group analysis:

• "For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul": This opening establishes the active threat and the dire situation. It portrays an attack not just on David's safety, but on his very existence, orchestrated by those who should be kin but act as hostile outsiders.
• "they have not set God before them": This phrase encapsulates the spiritual state of David's enemies. It is not an accidental oversight but a fundamental disposition—they actively choose to disregard God in their motives and actions. This moral and spiritual void is presented as the very reason for their hostility and tyranny, emphasizing that without a sense of God's presence and judgment, humans are capable of profound wickedness.

Psalm 54 3 Bonus section

The concept of "setting God before them" or its absence is a foundational principle in Old Testament theology. It speaks to one's worldview and moral framework. To "set God before oneself" implies acknowledging His presence, submitting to His authority, fearing Him, and obeying His commandments, thus shaping all one's thoughts and actions. The lack of this demonstrates a self-centered or even demonic motivation, where human will (or even evil influence) takes precedence over divine decree. This truth highlights why David, as a man after God's own heart, was so disturbed by this characteristic in his enemies. It indicates that their hostility was not just personal, but rebellion against the divine order. The Ziphites, while ethnically kin, proved themselves "strangers" through their moral and spiritual disassociation from the covenant and its divine Lord, exhibiting a mindset common to the truly wicked described throughout Scripture.

Psalm 54 3 Commentary

Psalm 54:3 vividly portrays the core issue driving the psalmist's distress: his enemies are characterized not only by their external actions ("strangers" and "oppressors seeking his life") but by their internal spiritual vacuum. The crucial point "they have not set God before them" means they lack any reverence, fear, or consideration for the Divine. Their actions are unchecked by divine standards, making them ruthless and dangerous. This explains their capacity for betrayal and violence, as their moral compass is guided solely by their own will and power, not by God's truth. David's plea, therefore, appeals to a just God who is before him, against those who disregard Him, making God Himself a stakeholder in David's deliverance. This verse provides a profound insight into the spiritual battle that underpins many physical conflicts described in the Psalms.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing betrayal or unjust persecution, understand that such actions often stem from a fundamental disregard for divine principles, not merely a personal conflict. Turn to God, as David did, for justice and deliverance, remembering that He is indeed "before" those who trust Him.