O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.This introduction provides the historical context for the psalm. David, the second king of Israel, faced a rebellion led by his son Absalom, as recorded in 2 Samuel 15-18. This was a time of great personal and political turmoil for David. The rebellion forced David to flee Jerusalem, highlighting the fragility of human power and the consequences of familial discord. This context underscores themes of betrayal and the need for divine intervention. The psalm reflects David's reliance on God during a crisis, a recurring theme in his life and writings. O LORD, how my foes have increased!
David addresses God directly, emphasizing a personal relationship with the divine. The increase in foes refers to the growing number of people siding with Absalom, illustrating the widespread nature of the rebellion. This phrase captures the sense of being overwhelmed by adversaries, a common experience for believers facing spiritual or physical battles. The lamentation is a call for God's attention and intervention, echoing the cries of other biblical figures who faced overwhelming odds, such as Moses and Elijah. How many rise up against me!
This phrase emphasizes the magnitude of the opposition. The rebellion was not just a personal betrayal but a national crisis, with many Israelites turning against their anointed king. The imagery of rising up suggests an active and aggressive stance by the enemies, reflecting the spiritual battles believers face against forces that oppose God's will. This connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, as seen in Ephesians 6:12, where believers are reminded that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, King David, is expressing his distress during a time of great personal turmoil. This Psalm is traditionally understood to have been written during Absalom's rebellion, when David's own son sought to overthrow him. 2. AbsalomDavid's son, who led a rebellion against his father, causing David to flee Jerusalem. This event is a backdrop to the Psalm and highlights the personal betrayal and danger David faced. 3. JerusalemThe city from which David fled during Absalom's rebellion. It represents both the physical and spiritual center of David's kingdom. 4. Enemies/FoesThe adversaries mentioned in the Psalm, who have increased in number, represent both literal enemies and the spiritual forces of opposition that David faced. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, whom David calls upon in his distress, seeking divine intervention and protection. Teaching Points Recognizing Spiritual BattlesJust as David faced physical enemies, believers today face spiritual battles. Recognize the increase of opposition as a call to deepen reliance on God. The Reality of BetrayalDavid's experience with Absalom teaches us about the pain of betrayal. In times of personal hurt, we can find solace in God's unwavering faithfulness. Crying Out to GodDavid's immediate response to his troubles was to cry out to the LORD. This teaches us the importance of turning to God first in our times of need. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the increase of foes, David's trust in God's sovereignty remained firm. We are reminded to trust in God's ultimate control over our circumstances. Community of BelieversThe mention of "many" rising against David can remind us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with a supportive community of believers who can stand with us in prayer and encouragement. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Absalom's rebellion enhance your reading of Psalm 3:1? 2. In what ways can you relate to David's feeling of being overwhelmed by adversaries in your own life? 3. How does David's response to his increasing foes challenge or encourage you in your current spiritual battles? 4. What other biblical figures faced similar opposition, and how did they respond? How can their examples guide you? 5. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when facing personal or spiritual challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 15-18These chapters provide the historical context of Absalom's rebellion, offering insight into the events that led to David's writing of this Psalm. Psalm 23This Psalm also reflects David's trust in God amidst adversity, emphasizing God's guidance and protection. Romans 8:31This New Testament verse echoes the theme of God's support against adversaries, reinforcing the idea that if God is for us, no one can stand against us. People Absalom, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Absalom, 3, Adversaries, Attacks, David, Distresses, Face, Fled, Fleeing, Flight, Foes, Greatly, Gt, Increased, Lt, Multiplied, Numbers, O, Psalm, Rise, Rising, TroubleDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 3: 5088 David, character 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 PeopleThe 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 Links Psalm 3:1 NIVPsalm 3:1 NLTPsalm 3:1 ESVPsalm 3:1 NASBPsalm 3:1 KJV
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