Keraia
Psalm 3

Psalm 3:7

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

Translations

Modern
Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Arise, O YHWH! Save me, O my God! O that You would strike all my enemies on the jaw; may you break the teeth of the wicked!
Latin
Quoniam tu percussisti omnes adversantes mihi sine causa; dentes peccatorum contrivisti.

Original

Hebrew
English
Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Notes

Psalms 3:7–8

  • The psalmist does not seek revenge. Instead, he waits for the Lord to take vengeance.

  • Arise: The psalmist asks the Lord to act now.

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.

Parallels

2 Samuel 15:13–29

Glossary

Absalom David Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Wicked (People): Punishment of