Bible Commentaries
Psalms 3

Verses 1-8

Psalms 3:0

Structure - Though many rise against a child of God (Psalms 3:1), though they say he will find no help in God (Psalms 3:2), God is his protection (Psalms 3:3). God does hear us when we cry (Psalms 3:4-8).

Psalms 3:1 (A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.) LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Psalms 3:1 Word Study on “increased” Strong says the Hebrew word “increase” ( רָבַב ) (H7231) literally means, “to cast together,” hence, “to increase in number.” This is the same word that is used in 2 Samuel 15:12, except it is found in a contracted form ( רַב ) (H7227) in the book of Samuel.

2 Samuel 15:12, “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.”

Psalms 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Psalms 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalms 3:3 “and the lifter up of mine head” - Comments - David's head was bowed low in weeping as he fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:30).

2 Samuel 15:30, “And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.”

Psalms 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalms 3:4 “and he heard me out of his holy hill” - Comments - King David had forsaken the earthly hill of Zion in his escape from Absalom; yet he knew that God was still on His throne in the heavenly tabernacle. God was not moved. He is the same God when things appear calm as when things are in turmoil. God was on His throne and was able to deliver David.

Psalms 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psalms 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Psalms 3:6 Comments - There were literally tens of thousands of people who set themselves around King David when Absalom took the throne. In this story in 2 Samuel, all of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, gathered against David (2 Samuel 17:11-12). In the upcoming battle, twenty thousand of these Israelites died in battle (2 Samuel 18:7).

2 Samuel 17:11-12, “Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.”

2 Samuel 18:7, “Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.”

Psalms 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psalms 3:7 “thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly” - Comments - This could mean that God will make his enemies powerless.

Psalms 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psalms 3:8 Word Study on “salvation” - Strong says the Hebrew word “salvation” ( יְשׁוּעָה ) (H3444) means, “something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, help, salvation.” This is the same Hebrew word that is used in Psalms 3:2, “help.”

Comments - The enemy was mocking him by saying that there is no salvation, or help from God (Psalms 3:2).

Psalms 3:2, “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”