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Psalms 3

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The security of God's protection.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

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.

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.

7. 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.

8. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Metrical version

Psalm 3

C.M. Martyrdom, St. Anne

O LORD, how are my foes increased?
against me many rise.
Many say of my soul, For him
in God no succour lies.

Yet thou my strength and glory art,
th' uplifter of mine head.
I cried, and, from his holy hill,
the LORD me answer made.

I laid me down and slept, I waked;
for GOD sustained me.
I will not fear though thousands ten
set round against me be.

Arise, O LORD; save me, my God;
for thou my foes hast stroke
All on the cheek-bone, and the teeth
of wicked men hast broke.

Salvation doth appertain
unto the LORD alone:
Thy blessing, Lord, for evermore
thy people is upon.
Having beheld the royal dignity of my Redeemer, let me here behold the joy, the peace, the safety of the redeemed, amidst their distresses innumerable. Here David, driven from his holy capital and high throne, by his rebellious son Absalom, ( 1.) Complains to his God of the number and malice of his enemies, ver. 1-2. (2.) He encourageth himself in his God, as the source and subject-matter of his safety, joy, and honour, ver. 3. (3.) He recollects, how, on former occasions, his troubles had driven him to his prayers; how he had always found God ready to hear and grant his requests; how safe and easy he had lived under his protection; and how effectually he had broken the power and restrained the malice of his enemies, ver 4-5, 7. ( 4.) Triumphantly trusting in God, as the salvation and blesser of his people, he silenceth all his fears, and pours forth his prayers for new protection and deliverance, ver. 6, 8.


Think, my soul, of Jesus, who, when bulls of Bashan compassed him about, trusted in God, that he would deliver him. In all my distress, let me pour out my heart before him, believing in him as God, even my God. Let me always rejoice in the great God my Saviour. Let me trust in him at all times, that as he hath delivered, and doth deliver, so he will deliver me.