THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.

Psalm 3

The security of God's protection.


0A Psalm of David, when he fleda from Absalom his son.

a 2 Samuel 15; 16; 17; 18.

1LORD, how are they 1increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

1 For the reason that almost all the tribes concurred with Absalom. See 2 Sam. 15:10, 11, 12; 17:11, 13, 24, etc.

2Many there be which say 2of my soul, There is 3no help for him in God. 4Selah.

2 That is, of me, of my person. See Gen. 12 on verse 5. Other, unto my soul.

3 The Hebrew word, signifying salvation or preservation, has here a letter more than usual, which some do hold to imply an emphasis or exaggeration, and render it, no salvation at all.

4 Since the music, which was used by the people of God in the Old Testament, is unknown today, there are different opinions about this word Selah; yet most conceive that it served to intimate a peculiar stirring and devotion of the heart, which the poet (inspired by the Holy Spirit) had and felt upon the preceding words, and which also in the reading, rehearsing and singing were to be expressed accordingly, with attentive raising, lifting up and strengthening, or slacking and falling of the voice. It is commonly found at the end of the verses, except in Psalm 55:19; 57:3 and Hab. 3:3, 9, where it stands in the middle.

3But thou, O LORD, art a shield 5for me; my 6glory, and the 7lifter up of mine head.

5 Or, unto me, about me, that is, my Protector, from what sides the enemies may assault me. See Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Psalm 84:11.

6 That is, the Author of mine honor.

7 That is, Who by the gracious deliverances, victories and triumphs enables me to look up cheerfully or to show my face with cheerfulness. See Psalm 27:6; 110:7.

4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his 8holy hill. Selah.

8 (As Psalm 2:6) Namely, where was the ark of the covenant. See 2 Sam. 15 on verse 32. This David speaks of former times, trusting thereon that God would not forsake him, neither at present in regard of the promises He had made him.

5 Ib9laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

b Psalm 4:8.

9 This kind of expression implies a very quiet, secure and safe condition, wherein one needs not to fear any hurt or danger, enjoying a good conscience before God, and casting all the cares upon Him. See Lev. 26:6; Job 11:19; Psalm 4:8; Prov. 3:24; Ezek. 34:25.

6 Ic will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

c Psalm 27:3.

710Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten 11all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the 12teeth of the ungodly.

10 Humanly spoken of God; as we use to say to such persons who sit still and put no hand to work: Get up, begin the work. David entreats here God in this manner that He would be pleased to take speedily in hand the work of his salvation.

11 That is, Thou shalt heretofore put all them, who persecuted me wrongfully, to open shame and confusion. Now do likewise I pray to these also. Compare Job 16:10.

12 See Job 29 on verse 17.

8Salvationdbelongeth 13unto the LORD: thy blessing 14is upon thy people. Selah.

d Prov. 21:31; Isa. 43:11; Jer. 3:23; Hosea 13:4; Rev. 7:10; 19:1.

13 Or, by the Lord, that is, it belongs or appertains to Him to save; alone with Him there is deliverance, preservation, victory and salvation; both for myself (he wants to say) and for all the godly. He places this over against the saying of his enemies, verse 2.

14 Other, be.