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Dhammapada · narration sample

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The Bible · 532 of 1189

Psalms 54

1.Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asked of Guide

Why does the psalmist ask God to 'judge me by thy strength' instead of asking for revenge?

The psalmist asks God to act with sovereign power—“judge me by thy strength”—inviting divine vindication rather than personal retaliation. That request trusts God’s capacity to set things right, as the psalmist then names God as helper and pledges worship: “I will freely sacrifice unto thee”.

This chapter pairs personal plea with confidence: enemies rise, yet “the Lord is with them that uphold my soul,” and God will “reward evil unto mine enemies.” The posture resembles themes in Exodus where God vindicates the oppressed and in Psalm 18 where deliverance leads to praise, linking rescue with faithful worship.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.