Keraia
Psalm 3

Psalm 3:4

Deliver Me, O LORD! · Psalm 3:1–8
Read Psalm 3

Translations

Modern
To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah
Traditional
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Literal
With my voice I cry to YHWH, and He answers me from the mountain of His holiness. Selah
Latin
Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi; et exaudivit me de monte sancto suo.

Original

Hebrew
English
To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah

Notes

Psalms 3:3–4

The psalmist looks away from his enemies and focuses on the Lord.

Psalms 3:1–8

This psalm expresses sorrow that the hopes from Psalms 1–2 have not been fulfilled. Even when surrounded by enemies, godly people should not doubt the Lord's just actions. Instead, they can trust in God's goodness and expect God to rescue them.

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David

Parallels

2 Samuel 15:13–29

People

Selah: A musical or liturgical term of uncertain meaning

Glossary

Absalom David Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Prayer: Answered