1 [[A Psalm H4210 of David, H1732 when he fled H1272 from H6440 Absalom H53 his son.]] H1121 LORD, H3068 how are they increased H7231 that trouble H6862 me! many H7227 are they that rise up H6965 against me.
Therefore I counsel H3289 that all Israel H3478 be generally H622 gathered H622 unto thee, from Dan H1835 even to Beersheba, H884 as the sand H2344 that is by the sea H3220 for multitude; H7230 and that thou go H1980 to battle H7128 in thine own person. H6440 So shall we come H935 upon him in some H259 place H4725 where he shall be found, H4672 and we will light H5168 upon him as the dew H2919 falleth H5307 on the ground: H127 and of him and of all the men H582 that are with him there shall not be left H3498 so much as H1571 one. H259 Moreover, if H518 he be gotten H622 into a city, H5892 then shall all Israel H3478 bring H5375 ropes H2256 to that city, H5892 and we will draw H5498 it into the river, H5158 until there be not one H1571 small stone H6872 found H4672 there.
And it came to pass after this, H310 that Absalom H53 prepared H6213 him chariots H4818 and horses, H5483 and fifty H2572 men H376 to run H7323 before H6440 him. And Absalom H53 rose up early, H7925 and stood H5975 beside H3027 the way H1870 of the gate: H8179 and it was so, that when any man H376 that had a controversy H7379 came H935 to the king H4428 for judgment, H4941 then Absalom H53 called H7121 unto him, and said, H559 Of what H335 city H5892 art thou? And he said, H559 Thy servant H5650 is of one H259 of the tribes H7626 of Israel. H3478 And Absalom H53 said H559 unto him, See, H7200 thy matters H1697 are good H2896 and right; H5228 but there is no man deputed of the king H4428 to hear H8085 thee. Absalom H53 said H559 moreover, Oh that I were made H7760 judge H8199 in the land, H776 that every man H376 which hath any suit H7379 or cause H4941 might come H935 unto me, and I would do him justice! H6663 And it was so, that when any man H376 came nigh H7126 to him to do him obeisance, H7812 he put forth H7971 his hand, H3027 and took H2388 him, and kissed H5401 him. And on this manner H1697 did H6213 Absalom H53 to all Israel H3478 that came H935 to the king H4428 for judgment: H4941 so Absalom H53 stole H1589 the hearts H3820 of the men H582 of Israel. H3478 And it came to pass after H7093 forty H705 years, H8141 that Absalom H53 said H559 unto the king, H4428 I pray thee, let me go H3212 and pay H7999 my vow, H5088 which I have vowed H5087 unto the LORD, H3068 in Hebron. H2275 For thy servant H5650 vowed H5087 a vow H5088 while I abode H3427 at Geshur H1650 in Syria, H758 saying, H559 If the LORD H3068 shall bring me again H7725 H7725 indeed to Jerusalem, H3389 then I will serve H5647 the LORD. H3068 And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, Go H3212 in peace. H7965 So he arose, H6965 and went H3212 to Hebron. H2275 But Absalom H53 sent H7971 spies H7270 throughout all the tribes H7626 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 As soon as ye hear H8085 the sound H6963 of the trumpet, H7782 then ye shall say, H559 Absalom H53 reigneth H4427 in Hebron. H2275 And with Absalom H53 went H1980 two hundred H3967 men H376 out of Jerusalem, H3389 that were called; H7121 and they went H1980 in their simplicity, H8537 and they knew H3045 not any thing. H1697 And Absalom H53 sent H7971 for Ahithophel H302 the Gilonite, H1526 David's H1732 counsellor, H3289 from his city, H5892 even from Giloh, H1542 while he offered H2076 sacrifices. H2077 And the conspiracy H7195 was strong; H533 for the people H5971 increased H7227 continually H1980 with Absalom. H53 And there came H935 a messenger H5046 to David, H1732 saying, H559 The hearts H3820 of the men H376 of Israel H3478 are after H310 Absalom. H53 And David H1732 said H559 unto all his servants H5650 that were with him at Jerusalem, H3389 Arise, H6965 and let us flee; H1272 for we shall not else escape H6413 from H6440 Absalom: H53 make speed H4116 to depart, H3212 lest he overtake H5381 us suddenly, H4116 and bring H5080 evil H7451 upon us, and smite H5221 the city H5892 with the edge H6310 of the sword. H2719 And the king's H4428 servants H5650 said H559 unto the king, H4428 Behold, thy servants H5650 are ready to do whatsoever my lord H113 the king H4428 shall appoint. H977 And the king H4428 went forth, H3318 and all his household H1004 after H7272 him. And the king H4428 left H5800 ten H6235 women, H802 which were concubines, H6370 to keep H8104 the house. H1004 And the king H4428 went forth, H3318 and all the people H5971 after H7272 him, and tarried H5975 in a place H1004 that was far off. H4801 H1023 And all his servants H5650 passed on H5674 beside H3027 him; and all the Cherethites, H3774 and all the Pelethites, H6432 and all the Gittites, H1663 six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 which came H935 after H7272 him from Gath, H1661 passed on H5674 before H6440 the king. H4428
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 3
Commentary on Psalms 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 3
Ps 3:1-8. For the historical occasion mentioned, compare 2Sa 15:1-17:29. David, in the midst of great distress, with filial confidence, implores God's aid, and, anticipating relief, offers praise.
1. Lord … increased—The extent of the rebellion (2Sa 15:13) surprises and grieves him.
2. say of my soul—that is, "of me" (compare Ps 25:3). This use of "soul" is common; perhaps it arose from regarding the soul as man's chief part.
no help … in God—rejected by Him. This is the bitterest reproach for a pious man, and denotes a spirit of malignant triumph.
Selah—This word is of very obscure meaning. It probably denotes rest or pause, both as to the music and singing, intimating something emphatic in the sentiment (compare Ps 9:16).
3. But—literally, "and" (Ps 2:6). He repels the reproach by avowing his continued trust.
shield—a favorite and often-used figure for protection.
my glory—its source.
lifter up of mine head—one who raises me from despondency.
4. cried … heard—Such has been my experience. The latter verb denotes a gracious hearing or answering.
out of—or, "from."
his holy hill—Zion (Ps 2:6). His visible earthly residence.
5. the Lord sustained me—literally, "will sustain me," as if his language or thought when he laid down, and the reason of his composure.
6. ten thousands of people—or, "myriads," any very great number (compare 2Sa 16:18).
7. Arise, O Lord—God is figuratively represented as asleep to denote His apparent indifference (Ps 7:6). The use of "cheekbone" and "teeth" represents his enemies as fierce, like wild beasts ready to devour (Ps 27:2), and smiting their cheekbone (1Ki 22:24) denotes violence and insult.
thou hast broken—God took his part, utterly depriving the enemy of power to injure.
8. An ascription of praise to a delivering God, whose favor is an efficient benefit.