Psalm 3:1-8 NIV

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 3:1

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me ?.... David's enemies increased in the conspiracy against him, 2 Samuel 15:12 ; the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, and against him. Christ's enemies increased when Judas with a multitude came to take him; when the body of the common people cried out, Crucify him; when the assembly of the wicked enclosed him, and pierced his hands and his feet. And the enemies of God's people are many; the men of this world are against them;... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:7

Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God ,.... 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; see Psalm 44:23 ; and it may be some respect is had to the words of Moses when the ark set forward, Numbers 10:35 ; and it may be observed, that though David enjoyed so much peace and tranquillity of mind, and was in such high spirits... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:8

Salvation belongeth unto the Lord ,.... As the author of it; temporal salvation is of him; all the deliverances of the saints out of their troubles are from him; and to him is owing their spiritual and eternal salvation; this belongs to Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit: Jehovah the Father resolved upon it, chose men to it from everlasting, contrived the scheme of it in his infinite wisdom, made a covenant with his Son, in which he secured it, and appointed him to be the author of it, and... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:1

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:8

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