Psalms 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

This and the following psalm have many points of resemblance, and evidently form a pair. Similarity of structure, thought, forms of expression, of mental condition, and external surroundings, prevails. Both evidently belong to the same general occasion, and would seem to have been written in close connexion; Psalms 3, a morning, (Psalms 3:5,) and Psalms 4:0, an evening song, (Psalms 3:8,) perhaps of the same day. The title of the former assigns it to the period of Absalom’s rebellion, and was, probably, written the first morning after the flight of David from his capital; the latter probably dates the evening after, at Mahanaim. See 2 Samuel 17:22-24. Its strophic divisions are four: Psalms 3:1-2, the lament; Psalms 3:3-4, David’s expression of trust in God; Psalms 3:5-6, his reassured confidence after a night’s repose; Psalms 3:7-8, his call upon God for help, and for salvation to Israel.

TITLE:

A psalm of David The first that bears his name. Mismor, here rendered Psalm, is not the same word which is used to designate the Book of Psalms. It is frequently found in the titles of the psalms, and occurs fifty-seven times, thirty-six of which are ascribed to David. It denotes a poetical structure set to music. Lowth says: “It signifies a composition which in a peculiar manner is cut up into sentences, short, frequent, and measured by regular intervals.”

When he fled from Absalom See 2 Samuel 15-17