In Psalm 3, the psalmist starts his song with a complaint. He is beset by foes, he is plagued by many people who cast aspersions both on his God, and on him, for being so foolish as to trust in God. It is the first of a great many psalms where the psalmist recognises he is in trouble, that he is beset by many things. In the previous psalm God was laughing aloud at and deriding those who raised trouble for his people; here, the trouble is more up close and personal.
The way out of trouble for the believer is to remember what God has done, to bring to mind his care, to recall his promises, and then to rest in Him. He has saved me before, he will do it again. It does not matter if ten thousand people come against me. I can call on God and expect his deliverance, because he is my shield, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Salvation belongs to the Lord.
There are three selahs in this psalm. Bible translators are uncertain what they mean. They think it may be a musical or liturgical direction. Since the meaning is up in the air, I am going to go for “lead solo”. Crank up the electric guitars, boys!
Save Me, O My God
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
3 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah
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