Psalms 3 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 3

Save Me, O My God

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

3:1   O LORD, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2   many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah¹
3   But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4   I cried aloud to the LORD,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5   I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6   I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.
7   Arise, O LORD!
    Save me, O my God!
  For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.
8   Salvation belongs to the LORD;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah

Footnotes

[1] 3:2 The meaning of the Hebrew word Selah, used frequently in the Psalms, is uncertain. It may be a musical or liturgical direction

Commentary

A Psalm of trust. David had fled from Absalom (2 Sam 15), and several men brought encouragement and help; Ittai, Zadok, Abiathar, Hushai.

v1-2: Men attack the things of God, and those who trust in God. Their claim is that God is powerless to help.

v3-4: Although men had helped David, it was the Lord who was a help and a shield to Him. David had been despised even by those who had been his friends, and who now turned against him; but God gave him dignity ("you bestow glory"). David testified to God hearing his prayer.

v5-6: David had confidence in the Lord who sustained him; he had peace to sleep, for God gave it; he had peace against multiplied enemies (see 2 Kings 6.16).

v7-8: Confidence that God would deliver him. Victory was assured, as if God had already given it. Deliverance from God came to David, and to his people.