Psalm 3

Psalm 3 is a prayer by David.

Psalm 3 is the third Psalm of the Bible. It is a personal thanksgiving to God, who answered the prayer of an afflicted soul. Psalm 3 is attributed to David, in particular, when he fled from Absalom his son. David, deserted by his subjects, derided by Shimei, pursued for his crown and life by his ungracious son, turns to his God, makes his supplications, and confesses his faith. The story of Absalom is found in the 2 Samuel, Chapters 13-18.

Commentary

Commentary by Matthew Henry

In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, verse 1-3 represents David complaining to God of his enemies, and confiding in God. Verses 4-8 represents his triumphs over his fears, and giving God the glory, while taking to himself the comfort.

Commentary by Adam Clark

In Adam Clark's Commentary, verses 1-2 represents David's complaint, in great distress, of the number of his enemies, and the reproaches they cast on him, as one forsaken of God. Verse 3 represents as confidence, notwithstanding, that God will be his protector. Verse 4-5 mention David's prayers and supplications, and how God heard him. Verses 6-7 deride the impotent malice of his adversaries, and foretell their destruction. The final verse ascribes salvation to God.

Verse 1: Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? The hearts of all Israel went after Absalom (2 Samuel xv. 13), and David was astonished to find such a sudden and general revolt. Not only the common people, but his counsellors also, and many of his chief captains.

Verse 2: No help for him in God: one of many reproaches of his enemies. Shimei said: "Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man." (2 Samuel xvi. 7-8) Such reproaches deeply affected David's heart, and he mentions them with that note which so frequently occurs in the Psalms, and occurs in Psalm 3 for the first time, 'selah', a word the Septuagint translate by diayalma diapsalma, "a pause in the Psalm." It either comes from ls sal, to raise or elevate, and may denote a particular elevation in the voices of the performers, which is very observable in the Jewish singing to the present day. It may come from hls salah, to strew or spread out, intimating that the subject to which the word is attached should be spread out, meditated on, and attentively considered by the reader.

Verse 3. Thou, O Lord art a shield: As a shield covers and defends the body from the strokes of an adversary, so wilt thou cover and defend me from them that rise up against me. The lifter up of mine head: Thou wilt restore me to the state from which my enemies have cast me down, as he speaks prophetically. He was satisfied that the deliverance would take place, hence his confidence in prayer; so that we find him, with comparative unconcern, laying himself down in his bed, expecting the sure protection of the Almighty.

Verse 4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice: Exposed to much danger, David had need of fervour. He heard me: Notwithstanding my enemies said, and my friends feared, that there was no help for me in my God. yet he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah: God never forsakes those who trust in him. He never shuts out the prayer of the distressed.

Verse 5. I laid me down and slept: He who knows that he has God for his Protector may go quietly and confidently to his bed, not fearing the violence of the fire, the edge of the sword, the designs of wicked men, nor the influence of malevolent spirits. I awaked: Though humanly speaking there was reason to fear I should have been murdered in my bed, as my most confidential servants had been corrupted by my rebellious son. yet God, my shield, protected me: I both slept and awaked; and my life is still whole in me.

Verse 6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands: Strength and numbers are nothing against the omnipotence of God. He who has made God his refuge certainly has no cause to fear.

Verse 7. Arise, O Lord: Though he knew that God had undertaken his defense, yet he knew that his continued protection depended on his continual prayer and faith. God never ceases to help as long as we pray. Thou hast smitten: That is, Thou wilt smite. David speaks in full confidence of God's interference; and knows as surely that he shall have the victory, as if he had it already. Breaking the jaws and the teeth are expressions which imply, confounding and destroying an adversary; treating him with extreme contempt; using him like a dog, &c.

Verse 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: It is God alone who saves. He is the fountain whence help and salvation come; and to him alone the praise of all saved souls is due. His blessing is upon his people. Those who are saved from the power and the guilt of sin are his people. His mercy saved them; and it is by his blessing being continually upon them, that they continue to be saved. David adds his selah here also: 1. Salvation comes from God. 2. Salvation is continued by God.

Commentary by St. Augustine of Hippo

New Advent: St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 3

Musical settings

Psalm 3 has been scored in music by many artists, including "Thou Art A Shield For Me", by Byron Cage, "Christian Karaoke Praise Song Psalm 3 worship", by Andrew Bain. In 1691,Michel-Richard Delalande composed his grand motet Domine quid sunt Multiplicati (S.37) for the offices of the Chapel of Versailles.

Uses

Psalm3:6 in Jegłownik cemetery.

Judaism

• Verses 2-9 are part of the prayers of the Bedtime Shema .and occasional sunrise Shema.
• Verse 9 is the eighth verse of V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra and is also found in Havdalah.
• Verse 9 is the eighth verse of V'hu Rachum to Pesukei Dezimra, and also in the Havladah.

Eastern Orthodox Church

• Psalm 3 is the first Psalm, of "The Six Psalms", which are read as part of every Orthros (Matins) service. During the reading of the Six Psalms, movement and noise are strongly discouraged, as it is regarded as one of the most holy moments of the Orthros service.

Catholic Church

About 530 in the Rule of St. Benedict, Benedict of Nursia chose this Psalm for the beginning of the office of matins, namely as the first psalm in the liturgy of the Benedictine during the year. In the abbeys that preserve the tradition, it is currently the first Psalm Sunday for office vigiles.

Given the current Liturgy of the Hours, 3 Psalm is sung or recited the first Office of Readings on Sunday semaine, after the first two psalms.