psalm-3:1-4:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 3:1

(1) How . . . many.—“And Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 16:15). Ahithophel counsels Absalom to take 12,000 men, and go in instant pursuit of the fugitive. Hushar’s advice shows, of course, the exaggeration of flattery: “Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Bcersheba, as the sand which is by the sea for multitude.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 3:1-8

Psalms 3:3-6 Dr. John Ker reminds us that this was the text from which Bishop Bedell preached to his fellow-prisoners in the time of the Irish rebellion in 1642, when he and the Protestants of the district were shut up in hold and in danger of death at any moment. He was one of the best Bishops who ever lived in Ireland... learned the Irish language, had the Bible translated into it, was assiduous in Christian work, and filled with the spirit of meekness and self-sacrifice. The word bedel in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:1-8

Psalms 3:1-8ANOTHER pair of psalms follows the two of the Introduction. They are closely connected linguistically, structurally, and in subject. The one is a morning, the other an evening hymn, and possibly they are placed at the beginning of the earliest psalter for that reason. Ewald and Hitzig accept the Davidic authorship, though the latter shifts the period in David’s life at which they were composed to the mutiny of his men at Ziklag. {1 Samuel 30:1-31} Cheyne thinks that "you will find... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 3:1-8

Psalms 3:0 Sorrows and Trials of the Godly Remnant (3-7) 1. Persecution and comfort (Psalms 3:1-4 ) 2. Arise Jehovah! Save me, O my God (Psalms 3:5-8 ) The five Psalms which follow bring before us the godly remnant of Israel, their sorrows and trials during the end of the age, while the expected Redeemer and King has not yet come. While this is the dispensational aspect, the application is wider. The trials and sorrows are common to all saints, who live in accordance with their calling... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 3:1

3:1 [A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.] LORD, how are they {a} increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.(a) This was a token of his stable faith, that for all his troubles he turned to God. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 3:1-8

Psalms 1:0 True happiness is the theme of this psalm, whose author is unnamed. The negative side of true happiness is stated (Psalms 1:1 ), and then the positive (Psalms 1:2 ). Its reward follows (Psalms 1:3 ). Its nature and value are emphasized by a sharp contrast. Such a man is godly, his opposite ungodly (Psalms 1:4 ). The first is marked by stability, the second by instability (Psalms 1:4 ). The first has endless fruitfulness and blessing, the second has nothing and worse than nothing... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 3:1-8

Psalms 3:0 [Note. This is the first psalm which is ascribed in the title to David. It is supposed to have been written by him in an hour of peril and persecution after the ark had been long established in Jerusalem. The hymn-book of Israel properly begins with this psalm. It is the only psalm in the book which is expressly assigned to the period of David's flight from Absalom, The structure of the psalm is regular four divisions, with two verses of equal length (with one exception, Psa 3:7 ).... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 3:1

CONTENTS The title of this Psalm best leads to the contents of it. The first and literal sense of this Psalm should seem to refer wholly to David; but, to an enlightened eye, there is much to be seen in it of Christ. Amidst the afflictions here complained of, There is much of the consolations of Jesus, and his great salvation. Psalms 3:1 By turning to 2 Samuel 15:0 , which I recommend the Reader to do, we shall there find the part of David's life which refers to this history; and, as an history... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 3:1-3

1-3 An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave to him. A child of God startles at the very thought of despairing of help in God. See what God is to his people, what he will be, what they have found him, what David found in him. 1. Safety; a shield for me; which denotes the advantage of that protection. 2. Honour; those whom God owns for his, have true... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 3:1-8

Morning Prayer of a Christian in Danger and Affliction. A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom, his son, 2 Samuel 15:14, probably written on the morning after the day of the flight, when David saw nothing but danger and destruction on every side, when his heart expressed the thoughts which arise in the hearts of all children of God as they battle with affliction. v. 1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me, the idea of their increasing number being brought home to David by the... read more