Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. Arise, O LORD!This phrase is a call for divine intervention, reflecting a common theme in the Psalms where the psalmist seeks God's active presence in times of distress. The term "Arise" is often used in the Old Testament to signify God taking action on behalf of His people, as seen in Numbers 10:35 when Moses would say, "Rise up, O LORD!" This invocation suggests urgency and a deep reliance on God's power to change circumstances. Save me, O my God!
The plea for salvation underscores the personal relationship between the psalmist and God, emphasizing trust and dependence. The use of "my God" indicates a covenant relationship, echoing the promises made to the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. This cry for deliverance is a recurring motif in the Psalms, reflecting the belief that God is a refuge and deliverer, as seen in Psalm 18:2. Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
This imagery of striking the enemies on the jaw is a metaphor for rendering them powerless and humiliated. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a blow to the face was a sign of disgrace and defeat. This reflects the psalmist's desire for God to not only protect him but also to vindicate him by subduing his adversaries. The language is reminiscent of God's judgment against the wicked, as seen in prophetic literature. break the teeth of the wicked.
Breaking the teeth symbolizes the destruction of the wicked's power and ability to harm. In biblical times, teeth were often associated with strength and ferocity, as seen in descriptions of predatory animals. This phrase suggests a complete dismantling of the wicked's capacity to oppress. It also foreshadows the ultimate defeat of evil, aligning with the eschatological hope found in Revelation 19:11-21, where Christ triumphs over His enemies. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 3, David is fleeing from his son Absalom, who has rebelled against him. This context of personal crisis and betrayal is crucial to understanding the urgency and desperation in David's plea. 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 familial and political turmoil David faced. 3. EnemiesThe adversaries David refers to are both literal and symbolic. They include Absalom's followers and those who oppose David's God-given kingship. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, whom David calls upon for deliverance and justice. This reflects David's reliance on God's power and faithfulness. 5. The WickedThose who oppose God's anointed king, representing broader themes of evil and opposition to God's purposes. Teaching Points Dependence on God in CrisisDavid's plea for God to "Arise" and "Save" reflects a deep dependence on divine intervention during times of crisis. Believers are encouraged to turn to God first in their own times of trouble. God's Justice Against EvilThe imagery of striking enemies on the jaw and breaking their teeth symbolizes God's power to render the wicked powerless. This reassures believers of God's ultimate justice. Prayer as a WeaponDavid's prayer is an example of using prayer as a spiritual weapon against both physical and spiritual adversaries. Christians are reminded of the power of prayer in spiritual warfare. Trust in God's DeliveranceDespite the immediate threat, David's confidence in God's deliverance is unwavering. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and methods of deliverance. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Absalom's rebellion enhance our interpretation of Psalm 3:7? 2. In what ways can we apply David's example of turning to God in times of crisis to our own lives today? 3. How do we reconcile the imprecatory nature of David's prayer with Jesus' teaching on loving our enemies? 4. What does Psalm 3:7 teach us about God's character, particularly in terms of justice and protection? 5. How can we use prayer as a tool for spiritual warfare in our own lives, drawing from David's example in this psalm? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 2This psalm also speaks of God's anointed king and the futility of opposing Him, providing a broader theological context for understanding God's protection and justice. 2 Samuel 15-18The account of Absalom's rebellion provides the historical backdrop for Psalm 3, illustrating the real-life challenges David faced. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies contrasts with the imprecatory nature of David's prayer, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with adversaries. People Absalom, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Arise, Blows, Bone, Break, Broken, Cheek, Cheekbone, Deliver, Enemies, Evil-doers, Face-bones, Hast, Haters, Jaw, O, Rise, Safe, Save, Shattered, Smite, Smitten, Strike, Struck, Teeth, Ungodly, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 3:7 5189 teeth 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 3:7 NIVPsalm 3:7 NLTPsalm 3:7 ESVPsalm 3:7 NASBPsalm 3:7 KJV
Psalm 3:7 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
