Psalms 54 in the early church
42 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 54, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7
Psalms 54:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:1 (53:2 LXX) | PG 12:1073 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:3 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:3 LXX) | 4 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 4th–5th century |
| Ps 54:1 (53:1 LXX) | Letter to Marcellinus 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:1 LXX) | Letter to Marcellinus 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:3 LXX) | Oration I Against the Arians 40 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 339–346 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:1-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:1–2 (53:3-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.4 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:3 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.5 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:1–7 (53:1-Ps LXX) | Psalm 53 · Apollinaris of Laodicea | quotation, high confidence | uncertain (fourth to sixth century) |
| Ps 54:1 (53:1 Vulg.) | Apology of the Prophet David 41 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 384-390 |
| Ps 54:1 (53:3 LXX) | Enchiridion (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love) 55 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 421–423 |
Psalms 54:2
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:2 (53:4 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.6 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 54:3
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:3 (53:5 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:3 (53:5 LXX) | Prayer 2 6 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | uncertain |
| Ps 54:3 (53:5 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.7 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:3 (53:5 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.8 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 54:4
Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:4 (53:6 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:4 (53:6 LXX) | Prayer 2 5 · Anonymous | allusion, low confidence | uncertain |
| Ps 54:4–5 (53:6-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.9 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:4–5 (53:6-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.10 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:4 (53:6 LXX) | Sermon 334.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Psalms 54:5
He will reward my enemies with evil. In Your faithfulness, destroy them.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:5 (53:7 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:5 (53:7 LXX) | Against Celsus 1.71 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Ps 54:5–6 (53:7-Ps LXX) | Against Celsus 7.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Ps 54:5 (53:7 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.11 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 54:6
Freely I will sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.13 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:6–7 (53:8-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.14 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | On the Christian Faith 2.6 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.15.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 LXX) | Homily 5 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | Letters 19.3 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | Letters 24.6 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | Confessions 2.15 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | Confessions 5.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 LXX) | On the Spirit and the Letter 52 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 412 |
| Ps 54:6 (53:8 Vulg.) | The Institutes 3.2 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
Psalms 54:7
For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 54:7 (53:9 LXX) | PG 12:1457 (Ps 52–53 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 54:7 (53:9 LXX) | Defence of His Flight 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Ps 54:7 (53:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 37.26.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 54:7 (53:9 Vulg.) | Letters 9.4 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |