King James Version
Psalms 3
8 verses with commentary
A Psalm of David, When He Fled from Absalom
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Psalm 3's superscription attributes it to David's flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18)—one of Scripture's most painful family betrayals. The opening lament <strong>'LORD, how are they increased'</strong> expresses shock at multiplying enemies. The Hebrew <strong>rabbah</strong> (increased/multiplied) suggests exponential growth—trouble not diminishing but expanding. The parallel <strong>'many are ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **How . . .** **many.**—“And Absalom and *all the people, *the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem” (2Samuel 16:15). Ahithophel counsels Absalom to take 12,000 men, and go in instant pursuit of the fugitive. Hushar’s advice shows, of course, the exaggeration of flattery: “Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Bcersheba, as the sand which is by the s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
David complains to God of his enemies, and confides in God.(1-3)
He triumphs over his fears, and gives God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(4-8)
**Verses 1-3**
An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave t...
Read full commentary →Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
David voices the painful taunts of his enemies who mock his faith in God's deliverance. The Hebrew 'yeshuah' (help/salvation) comes from the same root as 'Yeshua' (Jesus), pointing forward to the ultimate Savior. 'Selah' appears here, likely a musical pause for meditation on this devastating accusation. Yet even in quoting his enemies' lies, David's faith shines through - he still addresses God di...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **There is no help.**—According to the current creed, misfortune implied wickedness, and the wicked were God-forsaken. David, too, had sent back Zadok with the Ark, which in the popular view meant sending away the power and the presence of God. Even Zadok seemed to share this feeling; and David’s words to him, “thou a seer” (2Samuel 15:27), seem to contain something of a rebuke.
**Selah.**—Thi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
David complains to God of his enemies, and confides in God.(1-3)
He triumphs over his fears, and gives God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(4-8)
**Verses 1-3**
An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave t...
Read full commentary →But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. for: or, about
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KJV Study Commentary
Following the description of multiplying enemies, verse 3 introduces decisive contrast: <strong>'But thou, O LORD'</strong>—the emphatic adversative refocuses from human threat to divine reality. The threefold description establishes God's protective and sustaining character. First, <strong>'a shield for me'</strong> (<em>magen</em>) depicts defensive protection—God interposes Himself between Davi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **For me.**—Better,* behind me. *A protection from the emissaries of Absalom, now on his track.
**My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.**—
“Comp.—
“O et praesidium et dulce decus meum.”
HORACE, *Ode *I., 1:2.
The significance of this sublime trust comes out as we read in 2Samuel 15:30 how the humiliated monarch went barefoot over Olivet, with head bent down and muffled in his mantle; no gl...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
David complains to God of his enemies, and confides in God.(1-3)
He triumphs over his fears, and gives God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(4-8)
**Verses 1-3**
An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave t...
Read full commentary →I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse records answered prayer: <strong>'I cried unto the LORD with my voice'</strong> emphasizes vocal, audible prayer. The Hebrew <strong>qara</strong> (cried) suggests urgent appeal, not casual mention—this is desperate supplication. The addition <strong>'with my voice'</strong> underscores prayer's reality and intensity; David didn't merely think toward God but articulated his need.<br><br...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **With my voice.**—That is, *aloud. *The verbs are present, expressing the habit of the royal psalmist.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-8**
Care and grief do us good, when they engage us to pray to God, as in earnest. David had always found God ready to answer his prayers. Nothing can fix a gulf between the communications of God's grace towards us, and the working of his grace in us; between his favour and our faith. He had always been very safe under the Divine protection. This is applicable to the common mercies o...
Read full commentary →I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse testifies to God's sustaining grace through the night: <strong>'I laid me down and slept'</strong> describes peaceful rest despite mortal danger. The Hebrew <strong>shakab</strong> (lay down) and <strong>yashen</strong> (sleep) depict normal, restful sleep—remarkable given David's circumstances. Pursued by armies, facing possible assassination, experiencing emotional turmoil from Absalo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-8**
Care and grief do us good, when they engage us to pray to God, as in earnest. David had always found God ready to answer his prayers. Nothing can fix a gulf between the communications of God's grace towards us, and the working of his grace in us; between his favour and our faith. He had always been very safe under the Divine protection. This is applicable to the common mercies o...
Read full commentary →I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
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KJV Study Commentary
Faith triumphs over fear in this powerful declaration. Despite being surrounded by 'ten thousands' (Hebrew 'rebabah' - myriads), David refuses to give in to terror. This verse illustrates biblical faith: not the absence of danger, but confidence in God's protection despite overwhelming odds. The phrase 'set themselves against me round about' paints a picture of complete encirclement, yet David's t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **That have set themselves**—*i.e.*, *have arrayed themselves as for battle. *(See 1Kings 20:12.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-14. As before in the ninth and twelfth chapters, Job had shown himself not inferior to the friends' inability to describe God's greatness, so now he describes it as manifested in hell (the world of the dead), Job 26:5, 6; on earth, Job 26:7; in the sky, Job 26:8-11; the sea, Job 26:12; the heavens, Job 26:13.
**Dead things are formed--**Rather, "The souls of the dead (Rephaim) tremble." Not on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-8**
Care and grief do us good, when they engage us to pray to God, as in earnest. David had always found God ready to answer his prayers. Nothing can fix a gulf between the communications of God's grace towards us, and the working of his grace in us; between his favour and our faith. He had always been very safe under the Divine protection. This is applicable to the common mercies o...
Read full commentary →Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer shifts from declaration to petition, calling on God to act decisively. The imagery of striking enemies on the 'cheek bone' and breaking the 'teeth of the ungodly' depicts complete defeat - rendering them unable to continue their assault. This violent language reflects covenant curses against God's enemies and His people's enemies. Yet it's ultimately messianic: Christ defeated all s...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Thou hast smitten . . . broken.**—Better, *thou smitest *. . . *breakest. *The enemies are conceived of as wild beasts, like the lion and bear of the adventures of David’s own youth, whom God would render harmless to him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-8**
Care and grief do us good, when they engage us to pray to God, as in earnest. David had always found God ready to answer his prayers. Nothing can fix a gulf between the communications of God's grace towards us, and the working of his grace in us; between his favour and our faith. He had always been very safe under the Divine protection. This is applicable to the common mercies o...
Read full commentary →Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm's climactic confession begins with comprehensive truth: <strong>'Salvation belongeth unto the LORD'</strong>. The Hebrew <strong>yeshu'ah</strong> (salvation/deliverance) belongs exclusively (<em>la-Yahweh</em>, to/of the LORD) to God. This isn't one attribute among many but foundational reality—all deliverance, rescue, preservation, and redemption originate with and belong to Yahweh. Hu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Thy blessing . . .**—Rather, *let thy blessing be upon thy people. *It is not the statement of a fact, but an intercessory prayer. The true Shepherd of His people was a noble and generous man. This close, as Ewald says, “throws a bright light on the depth of his noble soul.”
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 27
Job 27:1-23.
It was now Zophar's turn to speak. But as he and the other two were silent, virtually admitting defeat, after a pause Job proceeds.
**1. parable--**applied in the East to a figurative sententious embodiment of wisdom in poetic form, a gnome (Psa 49:4).
**continued--**proceeded to put forth; implying elevation of discourse.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-8**
Care and grief do us good, when they engage us to pray to God, as in earnest. David had always found God ready to answer his prayers. Nothing can fix a gulf between the communications of God's grace towards us, and the working of his grace in us; between his favour and our faith. He had always been very safe under the Divine protection. This is applicable to the common mercies o...
Read full commentary →