4 I send up a cry to the Lord with my voice, and he gives me an answer from his holy hill. (Selah.)
I was searching for the Lord, and he gave ear to my voice, and made me free from all my fears.
When his cry comes up to me, I will give him an answer: I will be with him in trouble; I will make him free from danger and give him honour.
And before they make their request I will give an answer, and while they are still making prayer to me, I will give ear.
For the Lord's heart is on Zion, desiring it for his resting-place. This is my rest for ever: here will I ever be; for this is my desire.
O send out your light and your true word; let them be my guide: let them take me to your holy hill, and to your tents.
This poor man's cry came before the Lord, and he gave him salvation from all his troubles.
Is anyone among you in trouble? let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? let him make a song of praise.
And you will go on crying to me and making prayer to me, and I will give ear to you. And you will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart.
<A Song of the going up.> Out of the deep have I sent up my cry to you, O Lord. Lord, let my voice come before you: let your ears be awake to the voice of my prayer.
I have given my love to the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my cry and my prayer. He has let my request come before him, and I will make my prayer to him all my days. The nets of death were round me, and the pains of the underworld had me in their grip; I was full of trouble and sorrow. Then I made my prayer to the Lord, saying, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble.
My voice went up to him, and I was lifted up from the underworld. I said in my heart, The Lord will not give ear to me: But truly God's ear has been open; he has give attention to the voice of my prayer.
Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me.
O my God, I make my cry in the day, and you give no answer; and in the night, and have no rest. But you are holy, O you who are seated among the praises of Israel. Our fathers had faith in you: they had faith and you were their saviour. They sent up their cry to you and were made free: they put their faith in you and were not put to shame.
<Maschil. Of David. A prayer when he was in the hole of the rock.> The sound of my cry went up to the Lord; with my voice I made my prayer for grace to the Lord. I put all my sorrows before him; and made clear to him all my trouble. When my spirit is overcome, your eyes are on my goings; nets have been secretly placed in the way in which I go.
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.