Psalms 3
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Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
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.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 3:1-8
Save Me, O My God
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
1O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
3But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 3:1-8
Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
3But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7Arise, Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
This Psalm was written on the run, when David was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had conspired against his father. The Psalm starts out questioning God’s willingness to deliver him from danger, and transitions to unquestionable assurance of God’s protection on every side. “I will not fear, though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” David is once again strong in his faith.
David prays for deliverance from his enemies, that God will strike them “on the jaw and break the teeth of the wicked.” Knowing David’s love for his son, he was hoping to only put an end to the verbal assaults coming from Absalom and those supporting him.
He ends the Psalm reconciling himself to the fact that deliverance (however the Lord chooses to dispense it) comes only from the Lord. And then he prays for a blessing on God’s people.
Take courage today in God’s promises and be blessed.
Jackie O. Smith
Assistant Director
General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Dpt. (as of this writing)
