King James Version

What Does Psalms 3:4 Mean?

Psalms 3:4 in the King James Version says “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.”

Psalms 3:4 · KJV

Context

2

Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. for: or, about

4

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

5

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

6

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse records answered prayer: 'I cried unto the LORD with my voice' emphasizes vocal, audible prayer. The Hebrew qara (cried) suggests urgent appeal, not casual mention—this is desperate supplication. The addition 'with my voice' underscores prayer's reality and intensity; David didn't merely think toward God but articulated his need.

The response is immediate and complete: 'and he heard me' uses anah (answer/respond), suggesting not just reception but active response. God's hearing is never passive—He hears in order to act. The location 'out of his holy hill' references Zion, where ark and tabernacle resided, representing God's dwelling. Though David fled Jerusalem, God remained enthroned—exile didn't distance David from divine presence or power.

The concluding 'Selah' (occurring 71 times in Psalms) likely signals musical pause for reflection. This moment invites meditation: God hears and answers from His throne. The psalm's structure moves from complaint (v.1) to confession of faith (v.3) to testimony of answered prayer (v.4)—modeling faith's progression. Christ in Gethsemane similarly cried to the Father and was heard (Hebrews 5:7), demonstrating prayer's effectiveness even in extremity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's flight from Absalom involved crossing Kidron Valley and ascending the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:23,30)—physically moving away from Zion/Jerusalem. Yet this verse affirms theological truth: God's presence wasn't limited to geographical location. Though the ark remained in Jerusalem and David couldn't worship there, prayer bridged the distance. This challenged ancient Near Eastern assumptions that deities dwelt exclusively in their temples.

The phrase 'his holy hill' reminds David (and readers) of God's covenant presence in Jerusalem—the place of worship, sacrifice, and divine-human encounter. Yet God answered from there even when David couldn't be there, establishing that faith maintains access regardless of physical location. Jesus later affirmed this: 'True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth' (John 4:23). The temple's ultimate destruction (AD 70) demonstrated that God's people worship anywhere through Christ, our access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does David's vocal, urgent prayer teach about the nature of effective prayer, especially in crisis?
  2. How does God's hearing from His 'holy hill' assure believers of constant divine access regardless of physical location or circumstances?
  3. What is the significance of the 'Selah' here—what truths should we pause and meditate upon regarding prayer's effectiveness?
  4. How does Christ's prayer in Gethsemane parallel David's experience, and what does this reveal about prayer in suffering?
  5. What gives us confidence that God hears our prayers, and how should this shape both prayer content and frequency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
ק֭וֹלִי1 of 8

“with my voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

אֶל2 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 8

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶקְרָ֑א4 of 8

“I cried”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּֽעֲנֵ֨נִי5 of 8

“and he heard”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מֵהַ֖ר6 of 8

“hill”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קָדְשׁ֣וֹ7 of 8

“me out of his holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

סֶֽלָה׃8 of 8

“Selah”

H5542

suspension (of music), i.e., pause

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 3:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 3:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 34:4Psalms 91:15Isaiah 65:24Psalms 34:6Psalms 2:6Psalms 43:3

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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