Psalm 54 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 54
God is my helper
Verse 54:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:1] For the director. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:1] For the end. Among hymns. Of understanding, of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The musical direction and interpretation of Maskil differ.
Verse 54:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:2] When the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding among us?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:2] When the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Look, is David not hidden among us?”
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The historical occasion agrees.
Verse 54:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:3] God, save me by Your name;
avenge me by Your might.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:3] God, save me by Your name,
and judge me by Your power.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew judgment is rendered as vindicating vengeance with Rashi; Greek retains judge. Reception: Rashi explains the verb through vengeance on the speaker's behalf (RASHI-PS54, 3).
Verse 54:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:4] God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:4] God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The petitions agree.
Verse 54:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:5] For strangers have risen against me,
and ruthless men seek my soul;
they have not set God before them. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:5] For outsiders rose against me,
and powerful men sought my soul;
they did not set God before themselves. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Ruthlessness becomes strength; both retain the performance marker.
Verse 54:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:6] Look, God helps me;
the Lord is among those sustaining my soul.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:6] For look, God helps me,
and the Lord is the supporter of my soul.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew places the Lord among the supporters; Greek calls Him the supporter.
Verse 54:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:7] He will return the evil to those watching for me;
in Your faithfulness, destroy them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:7] He will turn the evils back upon my enemies;
in Your truth, utterly destroy them.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew follows the read yashiv, He will return, explicitly displayed against written yashuv in Chabad. Reception: Rashi identifies the watchers as hostile observers (RASHI-PS54, 7).
Verse 54:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:8] I will sacrifice to You freely;
I will thank Your name, YHWH, for it is good.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:8] I will sacrifice to You willingly;
I will give thanks to Your name, Lord, for it is good.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The voluntary sacrifice and thanksgiving agree.
Verse 54:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[54:9] For He rescued me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked upon my enemies.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[53:9] For You rescued me from every affliction,
and my eye has looked upon my enemies.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew speaks of He; Greek directly addresses You. Neither column inserts an unexpressed description of the enemies' fate.