TRV
Translation
King James Version
I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then I will generously sacrifice to you; I will praise your name, ADONAI, because it is good,
Berean Standard Bible
Freely I will sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.
American Standard Version
With a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto thee: I will give thanks unto thy name, O Jehovah, for it is good.
World English Bible Messianic
With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, LORD, for it is good.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then I will sacrifice freely vnto thee: I wil praise thy Name, O Lord, because it is good.
Young's Literal Translation
With a free will-offering I sacrifice to Thee, I thank Thy name, O Jehovah, for it is good,
See also
In the KJVVerse 14,732 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 54 verses 4–7
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.
We have here the lively actings of David's faith in his prayer, by which he was assured that the issue would be comfortable, though the attempt upon him was formidable.
I. He was sure that he had God on his side, that God took his part (Psa 54:4); he speaks it with an air of triumph and exultation, Behold, God is my helper. If we be for him, he is for us; and, if he be for us, we shall have such help in him that we need not fear any power engaged against us. Though men and devils aim to be our destroyers, they shall not prevail while God is our helper: The Lord is with those that uphold my soul. Compare Psa 118:7, "The Lord taketh my part with those that help me. There are some that uphold me, and God is one of them; he is the principal one; none of them could help me if he did not help them." Every creature is that to us (and no more) that God makes it to be. He means, "The Lord is he that upholds my soul, and keeps me from tiring in my work and sinking under my burdens." He that by his providence upholds all things by his grace upholds the souls of his people. God, who will in due time save his people, does, in the mean time, sustain them and bear them up, so that the spirit he has made shall not fail before him.
II. God taking part with him, he doubted not but his enemies should both flee and fall before him (Psa 54:5): "He shall reward evil unto my enemies that observe me, seeking an opportunity to do me a mischief. The evil they designed against me the righteous God will return upon their own heads." David would not render evil to them, but he knew God would: I as a deaf man heard not, for thou wilt hear. The enemies we forgive, if they repent not, God will judge; and for this reason we must not avenge ourselves, because God has said, Vengeance is mine. But he prays, Cut them off in thy truth. This is not a prayer of malice, but a prayer of faith; for it has an eye to the word of God, and only desires the performance of that. There is truth in God's threatenings as well as in his promises, and sinners that repent not will find it so to their cost.
III. He promises to give thanks to God for all the experiences he had had of his goodness to him (Psa 54:6): I will sacrifice unto thee. Though sacrifices were expensive, yet, when God required that his worshippers should in that way praise him, David would not only offer them, but offer them freely and without grudging. All our spiritual sacrifices must, in this sense, be free-will-offerings; for God loves a cheerful giver. Yet he will not only bring his sacrifice, which was but the shadow, the ceremony; he will mind the substance: I will praise thy name. A thankful heart, and the calves of our lips giving thanks to his name, are the sacrifices God will accept: "I will praise thy name, for it is good. Thy name is not only great but good, and therefore to be praised. To praise thy name is not only what we are bound to, but it is good, it is pleasant, it is profitable; it is good for us (Psa 92:1); therefore I will praise thy name."
IV. He speaks of his deliverance as a thing done (Psa 54:7): I will praise thy name, and say, "He has delivered me; this shall be my song then." That which he rejoices in is a complete deliverance - He has delivered me from all trouble; and a deliverance to his heart's content - My eye has seen its desire upon my enemies, not seen them cut off and ruined, but forced to retreat, tidings being brought to Saul that the Philistines were upon him, Sa1 23:27, Sa1 23:28. All David desired was to be himself safe; when he saw Saul draw off his forces he saw his desire. He has delivered me from all trouble. Either, 1. With this thought David comforted himself when he was in distress: "He has delivered me from all trouble hitherto, and many a time I have gained my point, and seen my desire on my enemies; therefore he will deliver me out of this trouble." We should thus, in our greatest straits, encourage ourselves with our past experiences. Or, 2. With this thought he magnified his present deliverance when the fright was over, that it was an earnest of further deliverance. He speaks of the completing of his deliverance as a thing done, though he had as yet many troubles before him, because, having God's promise for it, he was as sure of it as if it had been done already. "He that has begun to deliver me from all troubles, and will at length give me to see my desire upon my enemies." This may perhaps point at Christ, of whom David was a type; God would deliver him out of all the troubles of his state of humiliation, and he was perfectly sure of it; and all things are said to be put under his feet; for, though we see not yet all things put under him, yet we are sure he shall reign till all his enemies be made his footstool, and he shall see his desire upon them. However, it is an encouragement to all believers to make that use of their particular deliverances which St. Paul does (like David here), Ti2 4:17, Ti2 4:18, He that delivered me from the mouth of the lion shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 4–7. Public domain.
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Hilary of PoitiersAD 367
For next there follows: I will sacrifice unto You freely. The sacrifices of the Law, which consisted of whole burnt-offerings and oblations of goats and of bulls, did not involve an expression of free will, because the sentence of a curse was pronounced on all who broke the Law. Whoever failed to sacrifice laid himself open to the curse. And it was always necessary to go through the whole sacrificial action because the addition of a curse to the commandment forbad any trifling with the obligation of offering. It was from this curse that our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us, when, as the Apostle says: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made curse for us, for it is written: cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. Galatians 3:13 Thus He offered Himself to the death of the accursed that He might break the curse of the Law, offering Himself voluntarily a victim to God the Father, in order that by means of a voluntary victim the curse which attended the discontinuance of the regular victim might be removed. Now of this sacrifice mention is made in another passage of the Psalms: Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared for Me ; that is, by offering to God the Father, Who refused the legal sacrifices, the acceptable offering of the body which He received. Of which offering the holy Apostle thus speaks: For this He did once for all when He offered Himself up Hebrews 7:27, securing complete salvation for the human race by the offering of this holy, perfect victim.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 54
"Voluntarily I will sacrifice to You" [Psalm 54:6]. Who can even understand this good thing of the heart, at another's speaking thereof, unless in himself he has tasted it? What is, "Voluntarily I will sacrifice to You"?... For what sacrifice here shall I take, brethren? Or what worthily shall I offer to the Lord for His mercy? Victims shall I seek from flock of sheep, ram shall I select, for any bull in the herds shall I look out, frankincense indeed from the land of the Sabæans shall I bring? What shall I do? What offer; except that whereof He speaks, "Sacrifice of praise shall honour Me"? Wherefore then "voluntarily"? Because truly I love that which I praise. I praise God, and in the self-same praise I rejoice: in the praise of Himself I rejoice, at whom being praised, I blush not. For He is not praised in the same manner as by those who love the theatrical follies is praised either by a charioteer, or a hunter, or actor of any kind, and by their praisers, other praisers are invited, are exhorted, to shout together: and when all have shouted, ofttimes, if their favourite is overcome, they are all put to the blush. Not so is our God: be He praised with the will, loved with charity: let it be gratuitous (or voluntary) that He is loved and that He is praised. What is "gratuitous"? Himself for the sake of Himself, not for the sake of something else. For if you praise God in order that He may give you something else, no longer freely do you love God. You would blush, if your wife for the sake of riches were to love you, and perchance if poverty should befall you, should begin to think of adultery. Seeing that therefore you would be loved by your partner freely, will you for anything else love God? What reward are you to receive of God, O covetous man? Not earth for you, but Himself He keeps, who made heaven and earth. "Voluntarily I will sacrifice to You:" do it not of necessity. For if for the sake of anything else you praise God, out of necessity you praise. These things also which He has given, because of the Giver are good things. For He gives entirely, He gives these temporal things: and to certain men to their good, to certain men to their harm, after the height and depth of His judgments...."Voluntarily I will sacrifice to You." Wherefore "voluntarily"? Because gratis. What is gratis? "And I will confess to Your name, O Lord, for it is a good thing:" for nothing else, but because a "good thing" it is. Does he say, "I will confess to Your name, O Lord," because You give me fruitful manors, because You give me gold and silver, because You give me extended riches, abundant money, most exalted dignity? Nay. But what? "For it is a good thing." Nothing I find better than Your name.
John CassianAD 435
INSTITUTES 3:2
For among them (the Egyptians) these offices, which we are taught to render to the Lord at separate hours and at intervals of time with a reminder from the convener, are celebrated freely and continuously throughout the whole day in conjunction with their work. For manual labor is continuously practiced by them in their cells in such a way that meditation on the Psalms and the rest of the Scriptures is always before them. To this at every moment they mingle short petitions and prayers, spending the whole day in those offices which we celebrate at fixed times. Thus, except for vespers and nocturns, there are no public services among them in the day except on Saturday and Sunday, when they meet together at the third hour for the purpose of Holy Communion. For what is continuously offered is greater than what is rendered at intervals of time. And a free gift is more acceptable than the duties which are performed by the compulsion of a rule. For such as this, David rejoices somewhat exultingly when he says, “Freely will I sacrifice to you;” and, “Let the free will offerings of my mouth be pleasing to you, O Lord.”
Valerian of CimiezAD 460
HOMILY 3:3
Listen to the prophet’s voice: “I will freely sacrifice to you, O Lord.” Learn how different an imposed servitude is from a voluntary one. A person who finds his own negligence accusing himself of suffering self-imposed servitude can never pass a day without regret. A person who obeys his Lord because of some solemn promise and thus reluctantly gains grace has stored up an injury for himself, since the prophet says, “Cursed is he who does the works of the Lord negligently.” If each one of you reflects on the wonderful gift of the acquired liberty that our Christ has granted to his faithful people through the regeneration of the life-giving bath [baptism] and through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, he understands that God should not be served halfheartedly. Even though we daily give God whatever honor or gift we can, we never pay him all we owe.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 54:6 stands as a profound declaration of David's unwavering commitment to worship and thanksgiving, even amidst severe personal distress and betrayal. This verse encapsulates the worshiper's promise to God, rooted not in a transactional expectation of deliverance, but in a deep, foundational understanding of God's inherent and unchanging character as supremely good. It portrays a heart that chooses to offer spontaneous, heartfelt praise and sacrifice, anticipating God's faithfulness and acknowledging His worthiness above all circumstances.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 54:6 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. David's declaration is a clear Vow of Praise, a common feature in psalms of lament where the psalmist promises future thanksgiving upon divine deliverance, demonstrating profound faith that God will act. The verse also exhibits Syntactic Parallelism in its structure, with two distinct "I will" clauses ("I will freely sacrifice... I will praise..."), which reinforces the psalmist's resolute commitment and the dual nature of his promised worship (action and word). The phrase "thy name" is a powerful example of Metonymy, where "name" stands in for the entire revealed character, reputation, and essence of God. Praising God's name is thus a comprehensive act of acknowledging His divine attributes and His inherent worthiness, particularly His goodness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 54:6 offers a timeless theological lesson on the nature of true worship. It teaches that authentic praise flows from a deep conviction of God's inherent goodness, rather than being merely a reaction to favorable circumstances. David's commitment to "freely sacrifice" and "praise thy name" while still in the midst of danger exemplifies a faith that trusts God's character above all else. This voluntary offering, born of a willing heart, foreshadows the New Testament understanding of spiritual sacrifices—not of animals, but of praise, thanksgiving, and lives wholly devoted to God. It reminds us that our worship is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, a rightful response to the One who is intrinsically good and worthy of all adoration. This verse underscores that God's goodness is the ultimate foundation for our trust and an unchanging reason for our worship, regardless of the trials we face.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 54:6 provides a profound model for believers navigating the complexities of life, especially in times of distress or uncertainty. David's example challenges us to cultivate a posture of worship that is not conditional on our immediate circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging truth of God's character. When we face betrayal, fear, or hardship, this verse calls us to remember that God's goodness is an eternal reality, a steadfast anchor for our souls. Our worship, like David's "freewill offering," should be a spontaneous, heartfelt response to who God is, not just what He does for us. This kind of worship transforms our perspective, shifting our gaze from our problems to the greatness of our God, strengthening our faith and deepening our intimacy with Him. It encourages us to offer "spiritual sacrifices" of praise and thanksgiving, even when our hearts are heavy, knowing that such offerings are pleasing to the Lord and align us with His eternal goodness and purposes. This active choice to praise, even when it feels counter-intuitive, is a powerful act of spiritual warfare and a testament to our profound trust in God's unwavering nature.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is David's sacrifice described as "freely" given?
Answer: The term "freely sacrifice" translates the Hebrew concept of a nədābâ, or "freewill offering." Unlike other sacrifices mandated by the Law for specific purposes (like sin offerings or guilt offerings), a freewill offering was entirely voluntary. It was given out of a spontaneous desire to express gratitude, devotion, or to fulfill a vow made to God. In David's desperate situation, his promise to "freely sacrifice" underscores that his worship is not a reluctant duty or a desperate plea for rescue, but a genuine, heartfelt commitment born of faith in God's character and anticipated deliverance. It highlights the sincerity and depth of his devotion, demonstrating that true worship is a willing response to God's inherent worthiness, not a coerced transaction.
What does it mean to "praise thy name"?
Answer: In biblical thought, a "name" represents the entire character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person. To "praise thy name" is therefore much more than simply uttering a word; it is to acknowledge, honor, and extol all that God is. It encompasses His attributes (holiness, power, love, faithfulness, justice), His revealed character through His actions in history, and His covenant relationship with His people. When David praises God's "name," he is glorifying the fullness of God's being, recognizing His supreme worthiness, and declaring His inherent excellence, especially His goodness, which is the ultimate reason for his worship. This act of praise acknowledges God's unique identity as the self-existent LORD (Yahweh) and His steadfast faithfulness to His promises.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 54:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. David's vow to "freely sacrifice" and praise God's name for His goodness points forward to the perfect, ultimate, and truly "freewill" offering made by the Son of God Himself. Jesus willingly laid down His life, becoming the supreme sacrifice for sin, not under compulsion but out of boundless love and obedience to the Father's will (John 10:18). His entire life was a "freewill offering" of perfect obedience, culminating in His death on the cross, which perfectly glorified the Father's name and demonstrated God's goodness and righteousness in a way previously unimaginable (Romans 5:8). Because of Christ's perfect sacrifice, believers are now empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, not through the shedding of animal blood, but through lives transformed by His grace (Romans 12:1). Our ability to "praise thy name, O LORD, for [it is] good" is now rooted in the complete revelation of God's goodness found in the person and work of Jesus, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). Through Him, we can continually offer a "sacrifice of praise" to God, the fruit of lips that confess His name (Hebrews 13:15), knowing that His goodness endures forever through the New Covenant established in Christ.