Psalm 3 holds a special place among the Psalms, particularly as it is the first to bear a title. It is designated as "mizmor," derived from a root signifying "to cut" or "prune," akin to the careful trimming of trees. This suggests a composition of measured cadence, crafted for vocal modulation to a specific tune or instrument. The Psalm is attributed to David, either as a composition for him, dedicated to him, or, more likely, divinely inspired and penned by him.
Some scholars note that the dative case in the Psalm's title often indicates divine inspiration, akin to the word of the Lord coming to prophets. While interpretations vary, the Psalm generally concerns David's trials, faith, security in God, triumph over enemies, and ultimate salvation through the Lord.
David composed this Psalm under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prompted by his flight from Absalom. Absalom had stolen the hearts of the people of Israel and conspired to usurp his father's throne. As the people increasingly sided with Absalom, David wisely chose to flee Jerusalem. It was during or after this flight that he wrote this Psalm, reflecting the circumstances.
Absalom's Army in Ambush by James Tissot depicts the conspiracy against King David.
David as a Type of Christ
David serves as a prominent type of Christ, both in his kingship and in his suffering. Just as one of David's sons conspired to dethrone him, Judas, one of Christ's disciples, betrayed him. Although Christ was aware of Judas's intentions, he did not flee but rather met him. Notably, Christ followed a similar path from Jerusalem as David, crossing the brook Kidron and ascending the Mount of Olives.
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The entire Psalm can be applied to Christ. The second Psalm highlights Christ's dignity as the Son of God and the stability of his kingdom despite opposition. In contrast, Psalm 3 expresses Christ's suffering at the hands of his enemies, his death and resurrection, his victory over his foes, and the salvation he secured for his people.
Ultimately, Psalm 3 can be understood on multiple levels: as reflecting David's experiences, as a prophecy of Christ, and as a source of comfort and guidance for God's people throughout history.
Verses of Psalm 3
Here are some versions of the verses of Psalm 3:
- Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
- O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
- O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Interlude
- Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there are that say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah
Psalm 3:3 - But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head high.
Psalm 3:4 - I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
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Psalm 3:5 - I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 3:6 - I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
Psalm 3:7 - Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
Psalm 3:8 - From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 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.
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His only hope is in his God, but that is so strong a confidence, that he feels the Lord hath but to arise and he is saved. It is enough for the Lord to stand up, and all is well.
He compares his enemies to wild beasts, and he declares that God hath broken their jaws, so that they could not injure him; "Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly." Or else he alludes to the peculiar temptations to which he was then exposed.
They had spoken against him; God, therefore, has smitten them upon the cheek bone. They seemed as if they would devour him with their mouths; God hath broken their teeth, and let them say what they will, their toothless jaws shall not be able to devour him.
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.
God sometimes, in the apprehension of his people, seems to be as if he was asleep: when he does not appear to them and for them, and does not exert his power on their behalf, then they call to him to awake and arise.
So Christ, his antitype, prayed to God as his God to save him, and was heard by him in like manner; so the saints call upon God in a day of trouble, cry to him in their distresses, to be delivered out of them: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; to smite anyone upon the cheek is reckoned reproachful, and is casting contempt upon them.
The sense is, that God had poured contempt upon his enemies in time past, and had brought them to shame and confusion: hence he puts up the above prayer as a prayer of faith for salvation, founded on past experience of God's goodness; he prayed that his God would arise and save him, and he believed he would because he had hitherto appeared for him, and against his enemies.
The breaking of their teeth signifies the taking away from them the power of hurting, and refers to the victories which God had given David over the Philistines, Edomites, Syrians, and others; and may be applied to Christ, and be expressive of sin, Satan, the world, and death, being overcome and abolished by him, and of the victory which the saints have through him over the same enemies.
7. Arise, O Lord] The opening words of the ancient marching-shout of Israel, rich in memories of deliverance and victory.
For thou hast smitten] Again, as in Psalm 3:4, appeal is made to the experience of the past as the ground of prayer. Hitherto Jehovah has put His enemies to shame, and destroyed their power for mischief.
The buffet on the cheek was a climax of insult which shewed that all spirit and power of resistance were gone.
Then, by a natural figure (how appropriate in David’s mouth! cp. 1 Samuel 17:34), the wicked are pictured as ferocious wild beasts, rushing upon their prey, but suddenly deprived of their power to hurt.
Verse 7. Arise, O Lord. This call is generally made when God's forbearance towards his enemies is thought to have been excessive, and his tolerance of sinners too great.
Save me, O my God. David was in imminent danger. "All Israel" had come against him (2 Samuel 16:15). He was short of supplies (2 Samuel 17:29). He was doubtful how God was disposed towards him (2 Samuel 15:25, 26). It was a time when, unless God would save, there could be no hope. Hence the intense earnestness of his prayer.
For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone. Heretofore, i.e., thou hast always taken my part - thou hast smitten mine enemies, and given me victory over them, and by breaking their jaw-bones thou hast taken away from them all power to hurt.
Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. The ungodly, enemies alike of David and of God, are represented as wild beasts whose weapons are their jaws and teeth. Let God break these, and they are harmless.
Listening to Psalm 3 in Yoruba
You can listen to the Bible in Yoruba, starting from the book of Psalms.
- Orin Dafidi 3 (Psalm 3) - Link to Youtube
Psalm 3 • The Lifter of My Head
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