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Christian prayer

Psalm 54

Psalm 54 in its original Hebrew and with its meaning, a biblical prayer for help and deliverance.

  • 7 verses
  • Under a minute to recite
  • From the Bible
  1. 1

    To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

  2. 2

    Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

  3. 3

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

  4. 4

    Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

  5. 5

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

  6. 6

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

  7. 7

    For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

The Hebrew original

1 לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינֹ֗ת מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִֽד׃

2 בְּב֣וֹא הַ֭זִּיפִים וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לְשָׁא֑וּל הֲלֹ֥א דָ֝וִ֗ד מִסְתַּתֵּ֥ר עִמָּֽנוּ׃

3 אֱ֭לֹהִים בְּשִׁמְךָ֣ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וּבִגְבוּרָתְךָ֥ תְדִינֵֽנִי׃

4 אֱ֭לֹהִים שְׁמַ֣ע תְּפִלָּתִ֑י הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָה לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃

5 כִּ֤י זָרִ֨ים ׀ קָ֤מוּ עָלַ֗י וְֽ֭עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י לֹ֤א שָׂ֨מוּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים לְנֶגְדָּ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃

6 הִנֵּ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים עֹזֵ֣ר לִ֑י אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י בְּֽסֹמְכֵ֥י נַפְשִֽׁי׃

7 ישוב הָ֭רַע לְשֹׁרְרָ֑י בַּ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗ הַצְמִיתֵֽם׃

8 בִּנְדָבָ֥ה אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֑ךְ א֤וֹדֶה שִּׁמְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה כִּי־טֽוֹב׃

9 כִּ֣י מִכָּל־צָ֭רָה הִצִּילָ֑נִי וּ֝בְאֹיְבַ֗י רָאֲתָ֥ה עֵינִֽי׃

Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here

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When it is prayed

Many Christians recite Psalm 54 when they feel threatened, betrayed or in need of help. In the Christian tradition, it gives words to a plea for God's protection and to trust amid trouble. It can also be used in personal prayer or communal worship.

  • In danger
  • In distress
  • Personal prayer
  • Communal worship

Where it comes from

Psalm 54 comes from the Bible's Book of Psalms and was originally composed in Hebrew. Its heading associates it with David and with the Ziphites revealing his whereabouts to Saul. The prayer moves from a plea for help to an expression of confidence and thanksgiving.

In the libraryThe King James Version of the BibleSee the book

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Related prayers and texts

Questions about Psalm 54

How many verses are in Psalm 54?

Psalm 54 has 7 verses.

What is Psalm 54 about?

It is a prayer asking God to save and uphold someone facing hostile people. It also expresses trust in God as helper and a willingness to give thanks.

Who wrote Psalm 54?

The psalm's heading attributes it to David and connects it with a time when the Ziphites disclosed his hiding place to Saul.

What language was Psalm 54 written in?

Psalm 54 was originally written in Hebrew. The page presents the original text and its meaning.

How long does it take to recite Psalm 54?

It takes under a minute to recite, though a reflective reading may be slower.

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