Psalms 54:6-7

I will freely sacrifice unto Thee: I will praise Thy name, O Lord, for it is good.

Thank-offerings

The closing verses of this simple little psalm touch very familiar notes. The faith which has prayed has grown so sure of answer that is already begins to think of the thank-offerings. This is not like the superstitious vow, “I will give so-and-so if Jupiter”--or the Virgin--“will hear me.” This praying man knows that he is heard, and is not so much vowing as joyfully anticipating his glad sacrifice. The same incipient personification of the name as in Psalms 54:1 is very prominent in the closing strains. Thank-offerings--not merely statutory and obligatory, but brought by free, uncommanded impulse--are to be offered to “Thy name,” because that name is good. Verse 7 probably should be taken as going even further in the same direction of personification, for “Thy name” is probably to be taken as the subject of “hath delivered.” The Senses of the verbs in Psalms 54:7 are perfects. They contemplate the deliverance as already accomplished. Faith sees the future as present. This psalmist, surrounded by strangers seeking his life, can quietly stretch out a hand of faith, and bring near to himself the to-morrow when he will look back on scattered enemies and present, glad sacrifices! That power of drawing a brighter future into a dark present belongs not to those who build anticipations on wishes, but to those who found their forecasts on God’s known purposes and character. The name is a firm foundation for hope. There is no other. (A. Maclaren, D. D.).

Psalms 55:1