Psalms — Chapter 3

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1LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, 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.

8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

1Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me.

2Many there are that say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah

3But thou, O Jehovah, art a shield about me; My glory and the lifter up of my head.

4I cry unto Jehovah with my voice, And he answereth me out of his holy hill. Selah

5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for Jehovah sustaineth me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people That have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, O Jehovah; save me, O my God: For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.

8Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah: Thy blessing be upon thy people. Selah Psalm 4 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me.

2Many say about me, “God will not deliver him.” (Selah)

3But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me.

4To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah)

5I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me.

6I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions.

7Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked.

8The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah)

1Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.

2Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.

3But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

4I cry to Yahweh with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.

6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.

7Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.

8Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people. Selah.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A lament psalm of David fleeing Absalom — surrounded by enemies who say God will not help him, yet David declares the LORD is his shield and sustainer; he slept and woke because the LORD sustained him.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Individual Lament / Trust Psalm Attributed Author: David — "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son" (superscription) Key Themes: Enemies surrounding, trust in God as shield, prayer answered, fearless sleep, salvation belongs to God
Historical Context: This is the first psalm with a superscription and the first attributed to David. The historical context is 2 Samuel 15-17 — Absalom's rebellion. David fled Jerusalem with a small band while his own son pursued him with an army. The emotional weight is enormous: this is not a foreign enemy but his own child. The taunt "there is no help for him in God" (v.2) may reflect Shimei's cursing (2 Sam 16:5-8) or the general perception that God had abandoned David because of his sin with Bathsheba. Yet David slept peacefully that night — an astonishing act of trust. This is traditionally understood as a "morning psalm" (paired with Psalm 4 as an "evening psalm").
Structure:
  • The Crisis Described (vv.1-2)
  • Confidence in God (vv.3-4)
  • Fearless Rest (vv.5-6)
  • Prayer and Praise (vv.7-8)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. The world will tell you God cannot help (v.2). "There is no salvation for him in God" — this is the taunt of every circumstance that seems too large, every failure that seems disqualifying, every enemy that seems overwhelming. The taunt is always a lie.
  • 2. The word "BUT" changes everything (v.3). Enemies are real, danger is real, taunts are real — BUT God is shield, glory, head-lifter. Faith does not deny the crisis; it introduces a greater reality into the crisis.
  • 3. You can sleep when God is your shield (v.5). David's sleep is not escapism — it is the most practical demonstration of trust. If you truly believe God is your protector, you can close your eyes in the presence of ten thousand enemies. Insomnia often reveals where trust has eroded.
  • 4. Personal trust becomes communal blessing (v.8). "Thy blessing is upon thy people." David's faith did not serve only David. A leader who trusts God becomes a channel of blessing to everyone under their care.
  • 5. Salvation BELONGS to the Lord (v.8). It is His possession, His prerogative, His gift. You cannot manufacture it, earn it, or lose it through human failure. It belongs to Him — and He gives it freely to those who cry out (v.4).