Psalm 54 6

Psalm 54:6 kjv

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Psalm 54:6 nkjv

I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Psalm 54:6 niv

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.

Psalm 54:6 esv

With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Psalm 54:6 nlt

I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O LORD,
for it is good.

Psalm 54 verses

Psalm 54 6 Meaning

Psalm 54:6 is a solemn vow made by David in anticipation of God's deliverance. He pledges to offer voluntary sacrifices of profound gratitude and wholeheartedly praise the character and being of the LORD. His promised response stems from the absolute goodness and trustworthiness inherent in God's name and nature. It signifies worship that flows from a relieved and grateful heart, offered spontaneously and not out of mere obligation.

Psalm 54 6 Context

Psalm 54 is an earnest plea from David, persecuted and betrayed by the Ziphites, who had informed King Saul of David's hiding place (1 Sam 23:19-24, 26:1). Facing imminent danger and treacherous adversaries, David cries out to God to save him. The Psalm begins with a lament and urgent petition for divine intervention (vv. 1-3), then transitions to an expression of confident faith in God's help and His just judgment against his enemies (vv. 4-5). Amidst this desperate situation, verse 6 marks a pivot point: it is a profound vow of worship and thanksgiving that David intends to fulfill after God delivers him. This demonstrates his complete reliance on God's just intervention and his unwavering confidence in future vindication, transforming a prayer of distress into a promise of heartfelt devotion.

Psalm 54 6 Word analysis

• I will freely sacrifice (אֶדְבָּחָה נְדָבָה, edbachah nedavah):
  • edbachah (אֶדְבָּחָה): From the verb zabach (זבח), meaning "to slaughter," or "to sacrifice." This form emphasizes a resolute act of offering.
  • nedavah (נְדָבָה): This is a noun meaning "freewill offering," or "voluntary offering." In Old Testament law, a nedavah was distinguished from mandatory sacrifices. It was given purely out of generosity, devotion, or gratitude (e.g., Lev 22:23; Ex 35:29). Its presence here is crucial, indicating David’s intention to give of himself spontaneously and wholeheartedly, not out of compulsion or ritualistic duty.
• to you (לָּךְ, lach): A direct, personal address to God, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of David's commitment and devotion.
• I will praise (אוֹדֶה, odeh): From the verb yadah (יָדָה), which in its Hiphil stem typically means "to confess," "to give thanks," or "to praise." This term often implies a public and outward declaration of thanksgiving, gratitude, or acknowledgment of God's greatness, often expressed with an uplifted hand or voice. It signifies an open, unreserved act of adoration.
• your name (שִׁמְךָ, shimcha): In Hebrew thought, "name" (shem) encapsulates a person's entire character, reputation, authority, and revealed nature. To praise God's name means to praise all that God is—His attributes, His historical acts, His faithfulness, and His essence. It signifies worshipping His very being, not merely a title.
• O Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the sacred covenant name of God, often pronounced as Yahweh, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature, and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. David’s use of this intimate covenant name reflects a profound personal relationship and deep trust in God’s character as the Deliverer.
• for it is good (כִּי טוֹב, ki tov):
  • ki (כִּי): A conjunction meaning "for," or "because," providing the reason or justification for the preceding declaration.
  • tov (טוֹב): This adjective means "good," "pleasant," "beneficial," or "righteous." Here, it specifically refers to the intrinsic goodness of God’s character and nature. God’s "name" (His very being and reputation) is fundamentally and inherently good, reliable, benevolent, and faithful. This absolute goodness is the foundational truth that motivates David's anticipated praise and justifies his confidence.
• Words-group analysis:
  • I will freely sacrifice to you: This phrase highlights a profound shift from the mandatory nature of some ancient rituals to a heartfelt, voluntary act. It underscores the spirit of spontaneous devotion and overflowing gratitude. It’s a commitment to give out of an abundant thankfulness, demonstrating deep faith in future divine deliverance even while the distress is current.
  • I will praise your name, O Lord: This is a direct declaration of worship focused on God’s very being and revealed character. It goes beyond mere external ritual, emphasizing a personal and covenantal relationship with the God whose unique name (YHWH) and perfect, righteous reputation are the objects of praise. This praise acknowledges His active involvement and essential nature.
  • for it is good: This concluding clause provides the ultimate justification and unwavering basis for David’s promised worship and sacrifice. God's intrinsic and eternal goodness—His benevolent nature, unwavering faithfulness, and providential power to save—is the bedrock truth that prompts David’s unreserved devotion and guarantees the certainty of his hope. This highlights that God is worthy of such praise because He is inherently and eternally tov.

Psalm 54 6 Bonus section

• The Old Testament concept of nedavah (freewill offering) often highlighted the worshiper’s generous spirit in contrast to obligatory sin or guilt offerings. David's promise signifies his offering of joy and devotion after salvation, distinguishing it from atonement, thereby placing emphasis on the joyful expression of a heart already assured of God’s redemptive power.
• This verse effectively bridges the gap between material sacrifices and spiritual ones, illustrating how an inward vow of devotion is paramount. The praise David commits to offer is presented as a spiritual "sacrifice" itself, anticipating the New Testament understanding of worship as the "fruit of lips that confess His name" (Heb 13:15).
• David's address to YHWH, the personal covenant name of God, underscores the intimate and trustworthy relationship he shares with God. It speaks to God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises, a direct encouragement to David’s hope for deliverance based on God's unwavering character.
• Psalm 54 itself, structured as a lament leading to confidence and vow, demonstrates the theological journey of faith: from despair, through an appeal to God's character, to an assured vow of future thanksgiving, reinforcing the idea that trusting God's goodness provides strength and clarity in distress.

Psalm 54 6 Commentary

Psalm 54:6 profoundly distills the essence of genuine faith. In a time of extreme peril and betrayal, David moves beyond mere lament to confidently pledge a spontaneous and wholehearted response to God’s anticipated deliverance. His promise to "freely sacrifice" goes beyond formal ritual, echoing the Old Testament nedavah (freewill offering), given out of pure devotion and gratitude. This anticipated spiritual offering is intrinsically linked to his declaration: "I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good." Here, "name" encapsulates God's entire being, His attributes, and His redemptive character. David’s praise flows from a deep understanding of God's inherent, unchanging tov (goodness)—His benevolence and trustworthiness that form the very foundation of His being. This foundational goodness makes God utterly worthy of all worship and serves as the unwavering basis for David's hope. This verse illuminates how true worship stems from recognizing God's intrinsic character and is offered freely in grateful response to His sovereign acts of salvation. It foreshadows the New Covenant, where the emphasis shifts from animal sacrifices to believers offering spiritual sacrifices of praise, acts of service, and their very lives dedicated to God (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15).

• Examples:
  • A person facing deep anxiety chooses to express thanks to God for His faithfulness, despite current circumstances, believing in God’s inherent goodness and His ultimate deliverance.
  • A Christian committing to generously use their talents and resources in service, not out of obligation but as a spontaneous act of gratitude for God's grace in their life.
  • Gathering with fellow believers to publicly proclaim God's goodness and praise His name for a specific deliverance, rather than privately acknowledging it.