Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
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.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Psalms 3 offers a powerful testament to faith and trust in God amidst overwhelming adversity. The historical backdrop of this psalm is David's flight from his rebellious son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18). Fleeing from the palace in Jerusalem and hiding in the desert, David faced not only the betrayal of his own son but also the widespread support Absalom garnered among the Israelites. This psalm, closely linked to Psalms 4, reveals David’s heart as he grapples with fear and seeks refuge in the unwavering protection of God. It is the first psalm specifically ascribed to David in the first division of Psalms (Psalms 1-41).
The Weight of Opposition (Psalms 3:1-2)
David begins by acknowledging the magnitude of his predicament: "LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him'" (Psalms 3:1-2). The sheer number of his enemies is staggering, and their voices echo a message of despair, suggesting that God has abandoned David. Under Absalom's influence, many Israelites had risen up against David, convinced that Absalom was too strong for the aging king and that God was unable to deliver him. Their declaration, "There is no help for him in God" (Psalms 3:2), highlights the depth of their disbelief and the bleakness of David's situation.
A Shield of Deliverance (Psalms 3:3-4)
Despite the overwhelming odds and the discouraging words of his adversaries, David shifts his focus to God: "But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high" (Psalms 3:3). Regardless of how bleak the circumstances looked, David expresses his confidence in God’s deliverance. He recognizes the danger of his situation, but his ultimate focus is not on his enemies but on God. He affirms God as his protector, his source of honor, and the one who restores his dignity. This declaration of faith is followed by a confident assertion of answered prayer: "I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain" (Psalms 3:4). David cried to the Lord whose earthly throne was on Zion, his holy mountain (that is, Jerusalem), where the temple would be built. God was the source of David’s protection; therefore, he believed he would be restored to a place of dignity.
Sustained by Divine Peace (Psalms 3:5-6)
David's trust in God brings him a profound sense of peace, enabling him to rest even in the midst of turmoil: "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me" (Psalms 3:5). Whether David lay down to sleep or awoke to a new day, he recognized that God—not his own strength or ability—sustained him. This verse speaks to God's constant presence and care, providing strength and security even during vulnerable moments. This leads to a fearless declaration: "I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side" (Psalms 3:6). He had a great sense of peace and calm from God in spite of his difficulties.
A Plea for Salvation (Psalms 3:7-8)
Having affirmed his trust in God, David cries out for deliverance: "Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked" (Psalms 3:7). David petitions God to rise up and save him. He calls on God to override his enemies and subjugate them. The imagery of striking enemies on the jaw and breaking their teeth is a graphic representation of God's power to disable and defeat those who oppose Him and His people. To strike one’s enemies on the cheek was an insult intended to bring them to their senses and place them into submission—in this case, both to God and to David. David concludes his prayer of deliverance with a Godward focus because salvation belongs to the LORD (Psalms 3:8). He alone determines the time, place, and method of our deliverance. The psalm ends with a statement of faith and a prayer for God's people: "From the LORD comes deliverance; may your blessing be on your people" (Psalms 3:8). Importantly, David was not looking out only for himself. He was concerned for God’s people; thus, he prays, may your blessing be on your people.
Enduring Relevance
Psalms 3 offers a timeless message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even when faced with overwhelming opposition and feelings of abandonment, we can find refuge and strength in God. David's example encourages us to shift our focus from our problems to the unwavering character of God, trusting in His protection and provision. When our circumstances overwhelm us, we are called to look to the same God of peace. Though we must not ignore the reality of our suffering, we can find peace in the midst of our storms. What you look at will affect how you feel.
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
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.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Psalms 3 offers a powerful testament to faith and trust in God amidst overwhelming adversity. The historical backdrop of this psalm is David's flight from his rebellious son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18). Fleeing from the palace in Jerusalem and hiding in the desert, David faced not only the betrayal of his own son but also the widespread support Absalom garnered among the Israelites. This psalm, closely linked to Psalms 4, reveals David’s heart as he grapples with fear and seeks refuge in the unwavering protection of God. It is the first psalm specifically ascribed to David in the first division of Psalms (Psalms 1-41).
The Weight of Opposition (Psalms 3:1-2)
David begins by acknowledging the magnitude of his predicament: "LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him'" (Psalms 3:1-2). The sheer number of his enemies is staggering, and their voices echo a message of despair, suggesting that God has abandoned David. Under Absalom's influence, many Israelites had risen up against David, convinced that Absalom was too strong for the aging king and that God was unable to deliver him. Their declaration, "There is no help for him in God" (Psalms 3:2), highlights the depth of their disbelief and the bleakness of David's situation.
A Shield of Deliverance (Psalms 3:3-4)
Despite the overwhelming odds and the discouraging words of his adversaries, David shifts his focus to God: "But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high" (Psalms 3:3). Regardless of how bleak the circumstances looked, David expresses his confidence in God’s deliverance. He recognizes the danger of his situation, but his ultimate focus is not on his enemies but on God. He affirms God as his protector, his source of honor, and the one who restores his dignity. This declaration of faith is followed by a confident assertion of answered prayer: "I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain" (Psalms 3:4). David cried to the Lord whose earthly throne was on Zion, his holy mountain (that is, Jerusalem), where the temple would be built. God was the source of David’s protection; therefore, he believed he would be restored to a place of dignity.
Sustained by Divine Peace (Psalms 3:5-6)
David's trust in God brings him a profound sense of peace, enabling him to rest even in the midst of turmoil: "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me" (Psalms 3:5). Whether David lay down to sleep or awoke to a new day, he recognized that God—not his own strength or ability—sustained him. This verse speaks to God's constant presence and care, providing strength and security even during vulnerable moments. This leads to a fearless declaration: "I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side" (Psalms 3:6). He had a great sense of peace and calm from God in spite of his difficulties.
A Plea for Salvation (Psalms 3:7-8)
Having affirmed his trust in God, David cries out for deliverance: "Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked" (Psalms 3:7). David petitions God to rise up and save him. He calls on God to override his enemies and subjugate them. The imagery of striking enemies on the jaw and breaking their teeth is a graphic representation of God's power to disable and defeat those who oppose Him and His people. To strike one’s enemies on the cheek was an insult intended to bring them to their senses and place them into submission—in this case, both to God and to David. David concludes his prayer of deliverance with a Godward focus because salvation belongs to the LORD (Psalms 3:8). He alone determines the time, place, and method of our deliverance. The psalm ends with a statement of faith and a prayer for God's people: "From the LORD comes deliverance; may your blessing be on your people" (Psalms 3:8). Importantly, David was not looking out only for himself. He was concerned for God’s people; thus, he prays, may your blessing be on your people.
Enduring Relevance
Psalms 3 offers a timeless message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even when faced with overwhelming opposition and feelings of abandonment, we can find refuge and strength in God. David's example encourages us to shift our focus from our problems to the unwavering character of God, trusting in His protection and provision. When our circumstances overwhelm us, we are called to look to the same God of peace. Though we must not ignore the reality of our suffering, we can find peace in the midst of our storms. What you look at will affect how you feel.