> [[psalm-02|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-04|Next →]] --- # Psalm 3 ## Threatened but Trusting 1 A psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. ^psalm-03-1 ### I 2 How many are my foes, LORD! ^psalm-03-2 How many rise against me! 3 How many say of me, ^psalm-03-3 “There is no salvation for him in God.” *Selah* 4 But you, LORD, are a shield around me; ^psalm-03-4 my glory, you keep my head high. ### II 5 With my own voice I will call out to the LORD, ^psalm-03-5 and he will answer me from his holy mountain. *Selah* 6 I lie down and I fall asleep, ^psalm-03-6 \[and\] I will wake up, for the LORD sustains me. 7 I do not fear, then, thousands of people ^psalm-03-7 arrayed against me on every side. ### III 8 Arise, LORD! Save me, my God! ^psalm-03-8 For you strike the cheekbone of all my foes; you break the teeth of the wicked. 9 Salvation is from the LORD! ^psalm-03-9 May your blessing be upon your people! *Selah* \* (Psalm 3) An individual lament complaining of enemies who deny that God will come to the rescue (([[psalm-03|Ps 3]]:2] – [3]). Despite such taunts the psalmist hopes for God’s protection even in sleep (([[psalm-03|Ps 3]]:4] – [7]). The Psalm prays for an end to the enemies’ power to speak maliciously (([[psalm-03|Ps 3]]:8]) and closes peacefully with an expression of trust (([[psalm-03|Ps 3]]:9]). \* (3:1) The superscription, added later, relates the Psalm to an incident in the life of David. \* (3:3], [3:5], [3:9) Selah: the term is generally considered a direction to the cantor or musicians but its exact meaning is not known. It occurs seventy-one times in thirty-nine Psalms. a. (3:1) [2 Sm 15:13ff]. b. (3:3) [Ps 71:11]. c. (3:4) ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:11]; [18:3]; [62:7] – [8]; [Dt 33:29]; [Is 60:19]. d. (3:6) ([[psalm-04|Ps 4]]:9]; [Prv 3:24]. e. (3:8) [Ps 58:7]. f. (3:9) ([[psalm-28|Ps 28]]:9]; [Jon 2:10]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-02|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-04|Next →]]