| Geneva Study Bible For {b} strangers are risen up against me, and {c} oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. (b) That is, the Ziphims. (c) Saul and his army who were like cruel beasts, could not be satisfied except by his death. Wesley's Notes 54:3 Strangers - The Zephites, whom, though Israelites, he calls strangers in regard of their barbarous and perfidious carriage. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 3. strangers-perhaps Ziphites. oppressors-literally, "terrible ones" (Isa 13:11; 25:3). Such were Saul and his army. not set . them-acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare Ps 16:8). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 54:1-3 God is faithful, though men are not to be trusted, and it is well for us it is so. David has no other plea to depend upon than God's name, no other power to depend upon than God's strength, and these he makes his refuge and confidence. This would be the effectual answer to his prayers. Looking unto David, betrayed by the men of Judah, and to Jesus, betrayed by one of his apostles, what can we expect from any who have not set God before them, save ingratitude, treachery, malice, and cruelty? What bonds of nature, or friendship, or gratitude, or covenant, will hold those that have broken through the fear of God? Selah; Mark this. Let us set God before us at all times; for if we do not, we are in danger of despair. | 
