Psalm 3:2
Many say of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah
Many say of me,

Absalom’s rebellion had turned public opinion against David, leaving the king surrounded by enemies and abandoned by many former supporters. Shimei’s curse reflected the belief that David’s suffering proved God had rejected him (2 Samuel 16:8).

Psa 31:13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror…
Psa 71:10 For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait…
Psa 56:2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many…

“God will not deliver him.”

David’s adversaries interpreted divine discipline for his sin as permanent abandonment, forgetting God’s covenant promise to preserve David’s house (2 Samuel 7:16). Their scorn anticipates the words directed at Jesus: “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now” (Matthew 27:43). God’s people may endure severe affliction without being forsaken by God.

Psa 71:11 “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him”…
Psa 22:8 He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him;……
Mat 27:43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now…

Selah

The pause calls worshipers to weigh the cruelty of the accusation and the depth of faith required when circumstances seem to deny God’s help.

Psa 9:16 The LORD is known by the justice He brings;…
Psa 62:4 with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse.…
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 3, David is fleeing from his son Absalom, who has rebelled against him. This context of personal betrayal and danger is crucial for understanding the depth of David's lament and trust in God.

2. Absalom
David's son, who led a rebellion against his father, causing David to flee Jerusalem. This event is a backdrop for the psalm and highlights the personal and political turmoil David faced.

3. God
The central figure in whom David places his trust, despite the doubts expressed by others. The psalm reflects David's reliance on God's salvation and protection.

4. Enemies
Those who oppose David, both physically in the form of Absalom's followers and spiritually as those who doubt God's ability to save David.

5. Selah
A term used in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or musical interlude, emphasizing the gravity of the statement made.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Salvation
Despite external voices of doubt, believers are called to trust in God's power to save and deliver.

Facing Opposition
Like David, Christians may face opposition and doubt from others, but they should remain steadfast in their faith.

The Power of Words
The words of others can deeply affect us, but we must weigh them against the truth of God's promises.

Reflective Pause (Selah)
Taking time to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness can strengthen our resolve and trust in Him.

God's Faithfulness in Trials
Even in the midst of personal and external turmoil, God's faithfulness remains a constant source of hope and strength.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the historical context of Absalom's rebellion enhance our reading of Psalm 3:2?

2. In what ways can we apply David's trust in God to our own situations of doubt or opposition?

3. How do the words of others impact our faith, and how can we counteract negative influences with Scripture?

4. What role does the concept of "Selah" play in our personal reflection and prayer life?

5. How can we find assurance in God's salvation when facing trials, as seen in both Psalm 3 and Romans 8?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 22
Similar themes of feeling forsaken and surrounded by enemies, yet ultimately trusting in God's deliverance.

2 Samuel 15-18
The historical account of Absalom's rebellion, providing context for David's distress and the writing of Psalm 3.

Romans 8:31-39
The assurance of God's love and salvation, countering the doubts expressed by David's enemies.

Job 2:9
Job's wife expresses a similar sentiment of despair, questioning God's salvation, which parallels the doubts of David's enemies.
Help in GodA. Thomson, D. D.Psalm 3:2
A Morning HymnA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 3:1-8
A Morning Song in Perilous TimesC. Clemance Psalm 3:1-8
A Soul's Complaint to GodF. B. Meyer, B. A.Psalm 3:1-8
David's Dependence on GodC. Short Psalm 3:1-8
Morning ThoughtsJ. J. S. Perowne.Psalm 3:1-8
The Great Trials of LifeHomilistPsalm 3:1-8
The Harassed ManHomiletic ReviewPsalm 3:1-8
The Number of a Man's FoesJoseph Parker, D. D.Psalm 3:1-8
The Psalmist's ComplaintRobert Rollocks.Psalm 3:1-8
The Via DolorosaE. S. Prout.Psalm 3:1-8
Stop and ThinkMichael Eastwood.Psalm 3:2-8
People
Absalom, David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Deliver, Deliverance, Salvation, Saying, Selah, Soul, Unnumbered
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 3:1-4

     5945   self-pity

Psalm 3:1-8

     5087   David, reign of
     8618   prayerfulness

Library
Table of the Books of Holy Scripture According to Date.
HISTORICAL BOOKS. PROPHETIC AND POETICAL BOOKS. B.C. 4004 1689 Genesis 1529 Job Psalm lxxxviii. by Heman, the Ezrahite, (See 1 Chron. ii. 6) 1491 Exodus 1491 Leviticus 1451 Numbers Psalm xc. and (perhaps) xci 1450 Deuteronomy 1451 1427 Joshua 1312 Ruth 1120 Judges 1171 1056 1 Samuel Psalms, certainly vii, xi, xvi, xvii, xxii, xxxi, xxxiv, lvi, liv, lii, cix, xxxv, lvii, lviii, cxliii, cxl, cxli, and many more 1056 1 Chronicles Psalms, certainly ii, vi, ix, xx, 1023 Psalms
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms.
1. Beware of singing divine psalms for an ordinary recreation, as do men of impure spirits, who sing holy psalms intermingled with profane ballads: They are God's word: take them not in thy mouth in vain. 2. Remember to sing David's psalms with David's spirit (Matt. xxii. 43.) 3. Practise St. Paul's rule--"I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Cor. xiv. 15.) 4. As you sing uncover your heads (1 Cor. xi. 4), and behave yourselves in comely reverence as in the
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24),
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Christ's Kingly Office
Q-26: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A KING? A: In subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. Let us consider now Christ's regal office. And he has on his vesture, and on his thigh, a name written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords", Rev 19:16. Jesus Christ is of mighty renown, he is a king; (1.) he has a kingly title. High and Lofty.' Isa 57:15. (2.) He has his insignia regalia, his ensigns of royalty; corona est insigne
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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