The Book of Psalms

Psalm 3

Psalm III · Vol. II, pp. 988–990

The security of God's protection.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

A psalm of David ^awhen he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how^b are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me.¹

B.C. cir. 1021.

a 2 Sa.xv.-xviii.

b 2 Sa.15.12; 17.11-24.

1 If this psalm was written, as the title states, when David fled from Absalom, it exhibits in a noble light the character of the psalmist. In the midst of an unnatural rebellion, when to human eye all seemed lost, David declares his implicit faith in God, and his conviction of the final triumph of truth, and the welfare of God's people.—P.

2 Many there be which say of my soul, ^cThere is no help for him in God. ^dSelah.

c Ps.71.11. 2 Sa.16.8.

d ver.4,8; Ps.4.2,4.

3 But thou, O LORD, art ^ea shield for² me; my ^gglory, and the ^hlifter up of mine head.

e Ge.15.1. De.33.29. Ps.84.9,11; 91.2,3.

2 Or, about.

g Is.60.19; 45.25.

h Ps.27.6; 110.7. Ge.40.15. 2 Ki.25.27.

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

i Ps.50.15; 91.15; 99.6; 18.6; 116.1-8.

5 I^j laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the LORD sustained me.

j Ps.4.8; 127.2. Pr.3.24. Le.26.6. Job 11.18,19. Eze.34.25.

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

k Ps.27.1-3; 118.6-12.

**RUINS OF THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM—WHERE CHRIST HEALED THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND. [PSALMS, ii: 7.]** "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." We give this view of the ruins of the synagogue at Capernaum because it was at Capernaum that our Saviour wrought the majority of his miracles and delivered many of his discourses. The ruins at Capernaum indicate that this was once a place of importance, but now it is in a state of perfect decay and desolation. The ruins extend for half a mile along the coast and as far back into the interior. Here are fragments of ancient walls and foundations. The rank growth of bushes and weeds almost prevent travelers from making careful measurements. There are architectural fragments in the above synagogue which belong to a very ancient period. There are pieces of Corinthian capitals, architraves, elaborate friezes and pedestals.

Vol. II, p. 990

7 Arise,^l O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast ⁿsmitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.

l Is.51.9. De.32.36. Ps.40.17; 43.1; 44.26.

n Job 16.10. Ps.58.6. 1 Ki.22.24. Mi.5.1. La.3.30.

8 Salvation^o belongeth unto the LORD: ^pthy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

o Is.43.11. Jonah 2.9. Pr.21.31. Ho.13.4. Re.7.10; 19.1,7,9. Ac.4.12.

p Ps.115.13; 72.17; 28.9. Ep.1.3. He.6.14,17,18.

Notes

Ver. 2. Selah. Though this word occurs upwards of seventy times in the Psalms, its meaning is much disputed. By some it has been reckoned a musical pause, by others a mark of attention; by others a repetition; by others as equivalent to Amen! while some consider it indicative of the eternal value of the preceding passage. C.

Ver. 7. This was never true of David the son of Jesse, hence it must be interpreted of the final victory of David's Lord. The parallelism of this with the second Psalm clearly refers it to Christ. C.——Allusion is probably made to wild beasts, to which David compares his enemies. God disarms them as one would disarm a lion or tiger, by breaking its jaw, or dashing out its teeth. P.

Reflections.—Whilst I here behold Jesus conflicting, crying, and conquering, and entering into his glory, let me think how often the greatest trials spring from whence we least expected them! from our own house, our near relations! How numerous the seed of the serpent; and how furious their opposition to Christ and his people! But if troubles drive us to our God and our duty, we shall be effectually protected and honourably exalted. Our cries of faith shall be speedily answered from his temple, his heaven, his Christ. Confederacies of foes unnumbered, and savage as wild beasts, shall but enhance and sweeten our salvation and blessings, and shall bring upon themselves fearful and lasting ruin.