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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 3:1-3

The title of this psalm and many others is as a key hung ready at the door, to open it, and let us into the entertainments of it; when we know upon what occasion a psalm was penned we know the better how to expound it. This was composed, or at least the substance of it was meditated and digested in David's thought, and offered up to God, when he fled from Absalom his son, who formed a conspiracy against him, to take away, not his crown only, but his life; we have the story, 2 Sam. 15:1-16:14... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 3:4-8

David, having stirred up himself by the irritations of his enemies to take hold on God as his God, and so gained comfort in looking upward when, if he looked round about him, nothing appeared but what was discouraging, here looks back with pleasing reflections upon the benefit he had derived from trusting in God and looks forward with pleasing expectations of a very bright and happy issue to which the dark dispensation he was now under would shortly be brought. I. See with what comfort he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:2

Many there be which say of my soul ,.... Or "to my soul" F21 לנפשי τη ψυχη μου , Sept. "animae meae", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so the Targum. , the following cutting words, which touched to the quick, reached his very heart, and like a sword pierced through it: there is no help for him in God ; or "no salvation" F23 אין ישועתה "non est salus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "non ulla salus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Ainsworth. :... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:3

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me ,.... Or "about me" F1 בעדי "circa me", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Muis, Ainsworth, Cocceius, Michaelis. protecting and defending me. David was a military man, and often alludes to military affairs; and borrows words from thence, expressive of his great security from the Lord; see Psalm 18:2 . So Jehovah the Father was a shield to Christ, in his infancy, from Herod's rage and fury; and afterwards from the insults of the Pharisees, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:4

I cried unto the Lord with my voice ,.... The experience which the psalmist had of being heard in prayer, was what gave great encouragement to his faith, as to his interest in God and salvation by him, when his enemies were so increased about him; for crying here is to be understood of prayer, as it is often used in this book of Psalms: and so the Targum renders it, "I prayed"; and this designs vocal prayer. Sometimes there is a crying in prayer and no voice heard, as it is said of Moses, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:5

I laid me down and slept ,.... After the battle was over between Absalom's men and his, says Aben Ezra; but rather this was in the midst of his trouble and distress, since he afterwards prays for salvation: and this sleep was either, as Jarchi observes, through his heart being overwhelmed with grief; for there have been instances of persons sleeping through sorrow, as Elijah, Jonah, and the disciples of Christ, 1 Kings 19:4 ; or rather this is expressive of the calmness and serenity of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:6

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people ,.... David was a man of courage from his youth; the instances of his attacking the lion and the bear, when he kept his father's sheep, his engaging with Goliath, and his military exploits, show it; and though there were now many thousands up in arms against him, and his own son at the head of them; all the tribes of Israel were revolting from him, and he was only attended with a few of his friends, yet he was not dismayed; for that he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:2

No help for him in God - These were some of the reproaches of his enemies, Shimei and others: "He is now down, and he shall never be able to rise. God alone can save him from these his enemies; but God has visibly east him off." These reproaches deeply affected his heart; and he mentions them with that note which so frequently occurs in the Psalms, and which occurs here for the first time, סלה selah . Much has been said on the meaning of this word; and we have nothing but conjecture to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:3

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. This is the meaning of the phrase; and this 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:4

I cried unto the Lord with my voice - He was exposed to much danger, and therefore he had need of fervor. 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: mark this, and take encouragement from it. God never forsakes those who trust in him. He never shuts out the prayer of the distressed. read more

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