Psalms 3

A Psalm of David, when he jled from Absalom his Son. Apollinarius calls this Avypbv fi£\oc, a mournful or lamentable song. And so it is, if compared with the preceding; otherwise there are in it far greater expressions of faith and triumphant confidence in God, than there are of trouble and dejection of spirit, though David’s condition when he wrote it was very sad and dangerous. For the title, which St. Jerome truly calls the key of the Psalm (whereby we are let into the sense), informs us, that it is a meditation composed in his flight from Jerusalem, when his son Absalom conspired against him, and most of the kingdom fell off from him, (2 Sam. xv. &c.) Which after his return thither he commanded to be sung in the tabernacle, in commemoration of that disconsolate condition. And here I must note, once for all, that it cannot be certainly known what is meant by the word Selah, which we meet withal thrice in this short Psalm. The most probable opinion is, that it was a note in music. In which David (as Theodorct observes upon this word) being a very great master, he set some of his Psalms himself, to be sung to such instruments as he thought were most agreeable to the notes. But that music being now lost, some interpreters have wholly omitted this word Selah, as I shall also do.

Psalms 3:1

JLtORD, hoiv are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. O Lord, who changest not, what an amazing change is this! I who in a Divine manner was set by thee upon thy throne, and lately triumphed over so many foreign countries, (Psal. ii. 6 — 8.) now see great armies of my own subjects raised against me; and conspiring with my son, not only to pull the crown from my head, but to take away my life.

Psalms 3:2

Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. The general cry is, that I am lost, and that thou, who wast wont to be my helper, and in whom I always made my boast, hast quite forsaken me, as my people have done universally.

Psalms 3:3

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. But this (how sad soever it be) shall never shake my confidence in thee, O Lord, whom I still behold surroundingme with thy almighty protection: and therefore I will not cease to glory, and make my boast in thee; but hope (though now I am in a sorrowful condition) that thou wilt make me joyful again, and raise me out of this dejected estate to my former dignity.

Psalms 3:4

I cried unto theLord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Why should I doubt of it? when I never yet cried unto the Lord, either in this or any former distress, but he sent me relief from that place, where he, having made his special residence, would have us thither direct our prayers.

Psalms 3:5

I laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the Jjord sustained me. He hath already so quieted and composed my mind, that in the midst of this dreadful danger I laid me down securely, and slept profoundly, and awaked, as I slept, without any fear, or any disturbance: for the Lord supported and upheld my spirit, in a firm confidence of his careful providence over me. Ver. G. I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people that have set themselves against me round about.] And therefore, were I beset with as many nations, as I see men now encamp themselves on all sides against me, I should not be at all daunted at it.

Psalms 3:7

Arise, O Lord; save me, Omy God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. But only address myself x to thee, saying, Defer no longer, O Lord, but let them see Ihou hast not forsaken me. Deliver me, O my God, from these rebellious subjects, whom I beseech thee to discomfit and put to shame, as thou hast done many other powerful onemies, who most impiously have sought with eager desire to devour me.

Psalms 3:8

Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Thou alone art the author of all happiness, and therefore unto thee I flee to save and preserve me from this conspiracy: not that I may live to be revenged, but to. do good unto thy people, whose prosperity I wish and will seek, though never so ungrateful and undutiful to me their sovereign.