Psalm 3
Purpose: To ask YHWH for protection and victory from many enemies.
Content: YHWH, save me! My enemies are many, but you are a shield for me.
Message: "Victory is YHWH's!" (Ps 3:9a; cf. Jonah 2:10).
Author: David
Videos
Overview Video
Poetic Features Video
Video forthcoming
Exegetical Issues Video
Video forthcoming
Overview
Translation
Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 3.
- 1. A psalm. By David.
- When he was fleeing from Absalom, his son.
- 2. YHWH, how my adversaries have become many!
- Many are those rising against me.
- 3. Many are those saying about me,
- “There is no victory for him in God!” Selah.
- 4. But you, YHWH, are a shield for me,
- my honor, and the one who lifts my head.
- 5. I call aloud to YHWH,
- and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah.
- 6. I lay down and fell asleep.
- I woke up, because YHWH supports me.
- 7. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people
- who have taken position against me all around.
- 8. Rise up, YHWH! Save me, my God!
- For you have struck all my enemies on the jaw.
- You have broken wicked people's teeth.
- 9. Victory is YHWH's!
- Your blessing is on your people. Selah.
The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.
For links to other translations of Psalm 3, click here.
Verse-by-Verse
Click the link to view all of Psalm 3 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.
Layer-by-Layer
Exegetical Issues
- The Verbal Semantics of Psalm 3:5
- The Verbal Semantics of Psalm 3:6
- The Verbal Semantics of Psalm 3:8b–c