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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 54:5 He will reward my enemies with evil. In Your faithfulness, destroy them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/54-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/19_Psa_054_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 54:5 - Vindicate Me by Your Might" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He will reward my enemies with evil. 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Do as you promised and put an end to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/54.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/54.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will reward my enemies with evil. In Your faithfulness, destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/54.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/54.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/54.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will pay back the evil to my enemies; Destroy them in Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/54.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He will recompense the evil to my foes; Destroy them in Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/54.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He will recompense the evil to my foes; Destroy them in Thy faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/54.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He will return the evil to my foes; Destroy them in Your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/54.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He will pay back the evil to my enemies; In Your faithfulness destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/54.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will repay my adversaries for their evil. Because of your faithfulness, annihilate them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/54.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will repay my adversaries for their evil. Because of Your faithfulness, annihilate them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/54.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He will requite the evil unto mine enemies: Destroy thou them in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/54.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />you will punish my enemies for their evil deeds. Be my faithful friend and destroy them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/54.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He shall requite the evil unto mine enemies: destroy thou them in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/54.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />My enemies spy on me. Pay them back with evil. Destroy them with your truth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/54.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />May God use their own evil to punish my enemies. He will destroy them because he is faithful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/54.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He will turn the evil upon those who lie in wait for me. Cut them off with your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/54.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will reward my enemies with evil. In Your faithfulness, destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/54.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />May those who wait to ambush me be repaid for their evil! As a demonstration of your faithfulness, destroy them! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/54.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/54.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He will reward evil to my enemies; cut them off in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/54.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/54.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn back the evil to my enemies, "" Cut them off in Your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/54.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Turn back doth the evil thing to mine enemies, In Thy truth cut them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/54.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He will turn back the evil to those oppressing me; in thy truth cut them off.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/54.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Turn back the evils upon my enemies; and cut them off in thy truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/54.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 53:7>Turn back the evils upon my adversaries, and ruin them by your truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/54.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Turn back the evil upon my foes; in your faithfulness, destroy them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/54.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/54.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Bring disaster to mine enemies; silence them in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/54.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Bring evil upon my enemies and stop them by your truth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/54.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He will requite the evil unto them that lie in wait for me; Destroy Thou them in Thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/54.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He shall return evil to mine enemies; utterly destroy them in thy truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/54-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6385" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/54.htm">Vindicate Me by Your Might</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yå̄·šōḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">He will reward</a> <a href="/hebrew/8324.htm" title="8324: lə·šō·rə·rāy (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- To be hostile. A primitive root; to be hostile.">my enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·ra‘ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">with evil.</a> <a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ba·’ă·mit·tə·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">In Your faithfulness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6789.htm" title="6789: haṣ·mî·ṯêm (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3mp) -- To put an end to, exterminate. A primitive root; to extirpate.">destroy them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Freely I will sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-35.htm">Deuteronomy 32:35</a></span><br />Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6</a></span><br />After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-30.htm">Hebrews 10:30</a></span><br />For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-12.htm">1 Samuel 24:12</a></span><br />May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a></span><br />For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-14.htm">2 Timothy 4:14</a></span><br />Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Jeremiah 11:20</a></span><br />O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Revelation 6:10</a></span><br />And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm">1 Samuel 26:10</a></span><br />David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-1.htm">Psalm 94:1-2</a></span><br />O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth. / Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-7.htm">Luke 18:7-8</a></span><br />Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? / I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Nahum 1:2</a></span><br />The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He shall reward evil to my enemies: cut them off in your truth.</p><p class="hdg">reward</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-23.htm">Psalm 31:23</a></b></br> O love the LORD, all ye his saints: <i>for</i> the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8</a></b></br> O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy <i>shall he be</i>, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/4-14.htm">2 Timothy 4:14</a></b></br> Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:</p><p class="hdg">mine enemies [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/5-8.htm">Psalm 5:8</a></b></br> Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-11.htm">Psalm 27:11</a></b></br> Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.</p><p class="hdg">cut</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/89-49.htm">Psalm 89:49</a></b></br> Lord, where <i>are</i> thy former lovingkindnesses, <i>which</i> thou swarest unto David in thy truth?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/143-1.htm">Psalm 143:1,12</a></b></br> A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, <i>and</i> in thy righteousness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/psalms/52-9.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/45-5.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/53-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/52-8.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/psalms/40-11.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/psalms/49-5.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/53-3.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/45-5.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/psalms/28-4.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/psalms/41-10.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/psalms/41-10.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/psalms/40-15.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm">Slander</a> <a href="/psalms/52-3.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/psalms/51-13.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/52-9.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/55-9.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/54-7.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/55-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/56-3.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/psalms/54-7.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/54-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/54-7.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/psalms/56-7.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/psalms/56-12.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/psalms/62-12.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/psalms/58-11.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/59-10.htm">Slander</a> <a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/psalms/56-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/64-9.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 54</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">David, complaining of the Ziphims, prays for salvation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/54-4.htm">Upon his confidence in God's help he promises sacrifice</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/54.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/54.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He will reward my enemies with evil.</b><br>This phrase reflects the psalmist's confidence in divine justice. The concept of God repaying evil to one's enemies is consistent with the biblical principle of retributive justice, where God is seen as the ultimate judge who will right wrongs (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-35.htm">Deuteronomy 32:35</a>). The psalmist, David, often faced adversaries, including King Saul and his own son Absalom, who sought his life. This plea for divine intervention is not a personal vendetta but a call for God to uphold His righteousness. The idea of God rewarding evil to the wicked is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/94-23.htm">Psalm 94:23</a> and <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a>, where believers are encouraged to leave vengeance to God. This reflects a trust in God's sovereign justice rather than taking matters into one's own hands.<p><b>In Your faithfulness, destroy them.</b><br>Here, the psalmist appeals to God's faithfulness, a central attribute of God's character throughout the Bible. God's faithfulness implies His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His people. The destruction of enemies is seen as an act of divine faithfulness because it upholds God's promise to protect and deliver His chosen ones. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where God is the protector and avenger of His people (<a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a>). The plea for destruction is not merely for personal relief but for the vindication of God's name and justice. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God acts against those who oppose His purposes, as seen in the defeat of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/15.htm">Exodus 15:1-21</a>). The ultimate fulfillment of God's faithfulness is seen in Jesus Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, defeats the ultimate enemies of sin and death, offering deliverance to all who trust in Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/54.htm">Psalm 54</a>, David is seeking God's intervention against his enemies. This psalm is a plea for deliverance and justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The adversaries of David, who are seeking to harm him. In the context of this psalm, they represent those who oppose God's anointed.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure to whom David directs his prayer. God is portrayed as faithful and just, capable of delivering David from his enemies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/z/ziphites.htm">Ziphites</a></b><br>The people who betrayed David to Saul, as mentioned in the title of the psalm. They are part of the historical context of David's plea.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The King of Israel at the time, who was pursuing David to kill him. Saul's pursuit is part of the backdrop of David's cry for help.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_justice.htm">God's Faithfulness in Justice</a></b><br>Trust in God's faithfulness to bring about justice. Just as David relied on God to deal with his enemies, believers today can trust that God sees and will act justly in His timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer_in_times_of_trouble.htm">The Role of Prayer in Times of Trouble</a></b><br>David's response to his adversaries was to pray. In times of distress, believers are encouraged to turn to God in prayer, seeking His intervention and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leaving_vengeance_to_god.htm">Leaving Vengeance to God</a></b><br>The psalm teaches the importance of leaving vengeance to God rather than taking matters into our own hands. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching of trusting God to right wrongs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_righteousness.htm">Understanding God's Righteousness</a></b><br>God's actions are rooted in His righteousness. When He repays evil, it is a reflection of His just nature. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is both loving and just.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Faith in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>Like David, believers can have faith that God will deliver them from their adversaries. This deliverance may not always be immediate, but God's timing is perfect.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_54.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 54</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_54_5_differ_from_matt_5_44.htm">Why does Psalm 54:5 predict exact retribution from God, when other biblical passages (e.g., Matthew 5:44) recommend praying for enemies instead? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_faithful_face_defeat.htm">Psalm 23:5 - If God prepares a table for the faithful 'in the presence of enemies,' why do many suffer defeat and persecution?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_60_1_fit_god's_mercy.htm">Since Psalm 60:1 portrays God as angry and distant, how does this align with the Bible's broader portrayal of His mercy and love?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_17_5_align_with_eph._2_8-9.htm">How does the psalmist's reliance on personal righteousness (Psalm 17:5) align with New Testament teachings about salvation by faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/54.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Cut them off.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">put them to silence.</span><p><span class= "bld">In thy truth.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">according to thy faithfulness.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/54.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He shall reward evil unto mine enemies</span>; literally, <span class="accented">he shall return the wrong upon my adversaries.</span> "The wrong" is that which his adversaries had wished to inflict upon the psalmist, viz. death (see <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">1 Samuel 23:19, 20</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Cut them off in thy truth;</span> or, "in thy truthfulness" (Cheyne). God had given his people - those who were faithful to him - the promise of his protection, and, being true, could not go back from his word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/54-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He will reward</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשִׁ֣יב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשֹׁרְרָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·rə·rāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8324.htm">Strong's 8324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hostile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with evil.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֭רַע</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">In Your faithfulness,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(ba·’ă·mit·tə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">destroy them.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצְמִיתֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·mî·ṯêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6789.htm">Strong's 6789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put an end to, exterminate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/54-5.htm">Psalm 54:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/54-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 54:5 He will repay the evil to my (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/54-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 54:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 54:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/54-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 54:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 54:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>