Psalm 3:4-6

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 3:4

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 3:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:5

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:6

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:4

Verse 4 4.With my voice have I cried unto the Lord. He here informs us that he had never been so broken by adversity, or cast down by impious scornings, (42) as to be prevented from addressing his prayers to God And it was an infallible proof of his faith to exercise it by praying even in the midst of his distresses. Nothing is more unbecoming than sullenly to gnaw the bit with which we are bridled, and to withhold our groaning from God, (43) if, indeed we have any faith in his promise. Nor is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:5

Verse 5 According to the usage of the Hebrews, these words, which are in the past tense, I laid me down and slept, are taken sometimes for the future, I will lie down and sleep. (44) If we retain the reading of the verb in the past tense, David expresses a wonderful and almost incredible steadfastness of mind in that he slept so soundly in the midst of many deaths, as if he had been beyond the reach of all danger. He had doubtless been tossed amidst the merciless waves of anxiety, but it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 3:1-8

The composition is made up of three parts—a strophe, an antistrophe, and an epode, each terminated by the word selah. Some critics, however, make out four parts, by dividing the epode. But the absence of the word selah at the close of 2 Samuel 18:7 is against this. read more

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