4 My voice `is' unto Jehovah: I call: And He answereth me from his holy hill, Selah.
I sought Jehovah, and He answered me, And from all my fears did deliver me.
He doth call Me, and I answer him, I `am' with him in distress, I deliver him, and honour him.
And it hath come to pass, They do not yet call, and I answer, They are yet speaking, and I hear.
For Jehovah hath fixed on Zion, He hath desired `it' for a seat to Himself, This `is' My rest for ever and ever, Here do I sit, for I have desired it.
Send forth Thy light and Thy truth, They -- they lead me, they bring me in, Unto Thy holy hill, and unto Thy tabernacles.
This poor `one' called, and Jehovah heard, And from all his distresses saved him.
Doth any one suffer evil among you? let him pray; is any of good cheer? let him sing psalms;
`And ye have called Me, and have gone, and have prayed unto Me, and I have hearkened unto you, And ye have sought Me, and have found, for ye seek Me with all your heart;
A Song of the Ascents. From depths I have called Thee, Jehovah. Lord, hearken to my voice, Thine ears are attentive to the voice of my supplications.
I have loved, because Jehovah heareth My voice, my supplication, Because He hath inclined His ear to me, And during my days I call. Compassed me have cords of death, And straits of Sheol have found me, Distress and sorrow I find. And in the name of Jehovah I call: I pray Thee, O Jehovah, deliver my soul,
Unto Him `with' my mouth I have called, And exaltation `is' under my tongue. Iniquity, if I have seen in my heart, The Lord doth not hear. But God hath heard, He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
And call Me in a day of adversity, I deliver thee, and thou honourest Me.
My God, I call by day, and Thou answerest not, And by night, and there is no silence to me. And Thou `art' holy, Sitting -- the Praise of Israel. In Thee did our fathers trust -- they trusted, And Thou dost deliver them. Unto Thee they cried, and were delivered, In Thee they trusted, and were not ashamed.
An Instruction of David, a Prayer when he is in the cave. My voice `is' unto Jehovah, I cry, My voice `is' unto Jehovah, I entreat grace. I pour forth before Him my meditation, My distress before Him I declare. When my spirit hath been feeble in me, Then Thou hast known my path; In the way `in' which I walk, They have hid a snare for me.
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.