Song (Psalm) 54

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

54:1 God is my helper

Prayer for Vindication; A Prayer for Protection from Enemies

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when some people from Zif went to King Shaul and told him that David was hiding in their area.[ref] ≈To be accompanied by stringed instruments.

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”; For the leader: with stringed instruments: a maskil: for David (when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, ‘David is in hiding among us.’); For the choir director: A meditation of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments.; For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”

54 ≈Use the strength that’s part of your reputation to rescue me, God,

≈and ≈use your power to declare me innocent.

2 Hear my prayer, God.

≈≈Listen to what I’m saying

3 because strangers have ≈acted against me,

≈and pitiless men have ≈tried to eliminate me.

They ≈don’t have any respect for God. (Instrumental break.)

4 ≈But yes, God is my helper.

≈My master is the one who supports me.

5 He will repay my enemies with evil.

≈In your faithfulness, destroy them.

6 I’ll sacrifice a freewill offering to you.

I’ll give thanks ≈for your reputation, Yahweh, because it’s good,

7 because he’s rescued me from every trouble.

≈I’ve seen my enemies being defeated.

↑ 54  For_the_director in/on/at/with_stringed_instruments a_poem of_Dāvid.

2 In/on/at/with_went the_Ziphites and_they_said to_Shāʼūl/(Saul) not is_Dāvid hiding_himself among_us.

3 \f + \fr 54:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

1\f* Oh_god in/on/at/with_name_of_your save_me and_in/on/at/with_might_of_your vindicate_me.

4 \f + \fr 54:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

2\f* Oh_god hear prayer_of_my give_ear to_messages_of mouth_of_my.

5 \f + \fr 54:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

3\f* if/because strangers they_have_risen_up against_me and_ruthless they_have_sought life_of_my not they_have_set god at_before_them Şelāh.

6 \f + \fr 54:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

4\f* here god is_a_helper to_me my_master in/on/at/with_sustainer_of life_of_my.

7 \f + \fr 54:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

5\f* may_he_bring_back\f + \fr 54:7 \ft OSHB variant note: ישוב: (x-qere) ’יָשִׁ֣יב’: lemma_7725 morph_HVhi3ms id_19imY יָשִׁ֣יב\f* the_evil to_enemies_of_my in/on/at/with_faithfulness_of_your destroy_them.

8 \f + \fr 54:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

6\f* in/on/at/with_freewill_offering I_will_sacrifice to_you I_will_give_thanks_to name_of_your Oh_YHWH if/because it_is_good.

9 \f + \fr 54:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

54.

7\f* if/because from_all trouble delivered_me and_in/on/at/with_enemies_of_my eye_of_my it_has_looked.