Psalms 3 · Verse 1

Psalms 3:1

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.
Psalms 3:1, King James Version

Psalms 3:1 in other translations

BSBA Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
WEBA Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
ASVA Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me.
YLTA Psalm of David, in his fleeing from the face of Absalom his son. Jehovah, how have my distresses multiplied! Many are rising up against me.
DARBYA Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Jehovah, how many are they that trouble me, many they that rise up against me!
BBELord, how greatly are they increased who make attacks on me! in great numbers they come against me.
WebsterA Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they multiplied that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me.

What does Psalms 3:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Psa 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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

David complains, in great distress, of the number of his enemies, and the reproaches they cast on him, as one forsaken of God, Psa 3:1, Psa 3:2; is confident, notwithstanding, that God will be his protector, Psa 3:3; mentions his prayers and supplications, and how God heard him, Psa 3:4, Psa 3:5; derides the impotent malice of has adversaries, and foretells their destruction, Psa 3:6, Psa 3:7; and ascribes salvation to God, Psa 3:8. This is said to be A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son - See the account, 2Sam 15:1 (note), etc. And David is supposed to have composed it when obliged to leave Jerusalem, passing by the mount of Olives, weeping, with his clothes rent, and with dust upon his head. This Psalm is suitable enough to these circumstances; and they mutually cast light on each other. If the inscription be correct, this Psalm is a proof that the Psalms are not placed in any chronological order. The word Psalm, מזמור mizmor, comes from זמר zamar, to cut, whether that means to cut into syllables, for the purpose of its being adapted to musical tones, or whether its being cut on wood, etc., for the direction of the singers; what we would call a Psalm in score. This last opinion, however, seems too technical. Verse 1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? - We are told that the hearts of all Israel went after Absalom, 2Sam 15:13; and David is astonished to find such a sudden and general revolt. Not only the common people, but his counsellors also, and many of his chief captains. How publicly does God take vengeance for the sins which David committed so privately! In the horrible rebellion of Absalom we see the adultery of Bath-sheba, and the murder of Uriah. Now the words of Nathan begin to be fulfilled: "The sword shall not depart from thy house."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 3:1-3
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 to him. A child of God startles at the very thought of despairing of help in God. See what God is to his people, what he will be, what they have found him, what David found in him. 1. Safety; a shield for me; which denotes the advantage of that protection. 2. Honour; those whom God owns for his, have true honour put upon them. 3. Joy and deliverance. If, in the worst of times, God's people can lift up their heads with joy, knowing that all shall work for good to them, they will own God as giving them both cause and hearts to rejoice.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 3:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יְ֭הוָהYah.wehO YahwehH3068
מָֽה\־mah-how!H4100
רַבּ֣וּra.Buthey are manyH7231
צָרָ֑יtza.Raiopponents myH6862
רַ֝בִּ֗יםra.Bimmany [people]H7227
קָמִ֥יםka.Mim[are] rising upH6965
עָלָֽי\׃'a.Laion meH5921

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 3:1

  • Psalms 17:7

    Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

  • 2 Samuel 17:11-13

    Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

  • 2 Samuel 16:15

    And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

  • 2 Samuel 15:1-18

    And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! …

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

  • Matthew 10:21

    And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The security of God's protection.

A.M. 2983. B.C. 1021. (Title.)Psalm, {Mizmor,} from the verb to cut, prune, sing, a poem cut into short sentences, divided into syllables, pruned from every redundancy, and thus adapted for singing.
when.
2Sa 15:1-18:33
how.
2Sa 15:12; 16:15; 17:11-13; Mt 27:25
many.
17:7; Mt 10:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 3:1

    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.

  • Psalms 3:2

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

Read all of Psalms 3

Psalms 3:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Salmo de David, cuando huía de delante de Absalom su hijo. ¡OH Jehová, cuánto se han multiplicado mis enemigos! muchos se levantan contra mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		*Psaume de David, lorsqu’il s’enfuyait de devant Absalom, son fils.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jehova! wie viele sind meiner Bedränger! Viele erheben sich wider mich;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Psalmus David, cum fugeret a facie Absalom filii sui.