Psalms 3:1

¶ A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}, when he fled {H1272} from {H6440} Absalom {H53} his son {H1121}. LORD {H3068}, how are they increased {H7231} that trouble {H6862} me! many {H7227} are they that rise up {H6965} against me.

A psalm of David, when he fled from Avshalom his son: ADONAI, how many enemies I have! How countless are those attacking me;

O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!

Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me.

Psalm 3:1 serves as the introductory verse to one of David's most poignant laments, setting the stage for a deeply personal cry to God amidst severe crisis. The superscription immediately provides crucial historical context, identifying the Psalm as a reflection of King David's anguish when he was forced to flee Jerusalem due to the rebellion led by his own son, Absalom.

Historical and Cultural Context

The historical backdrop for Psalm 3:1 is found in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18. Absalom, David's charismatic son, orchestrated a cunning rebellion that gained significant popular support, forcing David to abandon his throne and flee for his life. This was not merely a political coup; it was a profound personal betrayal from within David's own family, making the situation exceptionally painful and humiliating. David, the anointed king, found himself a fugitive, surrounded by those who had turned against him, including many who were once loyal. This context underscores the depth of David's distress expressed in the verse.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Overwhelming Opposition: The verse powerfully conveys David's sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of his adversaries. The phrase "how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me" highlights the magnitude and immediacy of the threat.
  • Personal Betrayal: The unique pain of being opposed by one's own son, Absalom, adds a layer of deep personal suffering to David's lament. This isn't just an external enemy; it's a wound from within.
  • Lament and Appeal to God: Despite the dire circumstances, David's first response is to turn to the LORD. This establishes a foundational theme of the Psalms: bringing one's deepest fears and distress directly to God, even when it feels like all hope is lost. It is a cry of anguish, yet implicitly, it is also an act of faith, recognizing God as the ultimate sovereign.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me" emphasizes the numerical superiority and aggressive posture of David's enemies. The Hebrew word for "trouble" (צָרַר - tsarar) implies a sense of being hemmed in, restricted, or distressed, while "rise up against me" (קוּם עַל - qum 'al) denotes active rebellion and a direct confrontation. These terms underscore the immediate and pressing danger David faced, making his cry to God all the more urgent and relatable.

Practical Application

Psalm 3:1 offers timeless insights for anyone facing overwhelming opposition or personal betrayal. It validates the human experience of distress and despair, showing that even great leaders of faith like David expressed their raw emotions to God. This verse encourages us to:

  • Acknowledge Our Pain: It is okay to admit when we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges or the actions of others.
  • Turn to God First: Like David, our initial response in crisis should be to appeal to the LORD, recognizing His sovereignty even over seemingly insurmountable problems. This act of lament can be a profound act of faith.
  • Find Hope in God's Presence: While this verse details the problem, the rest of Psalm 3 progresses to express David's ultimate trust and confidence in God as his shield and deliverer. This demonstrates a pathway from lament to faith, reminding us that God is our refuge and strength even when many rise against us.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 17:7

    Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

  • 2 Samuel 17:11

    Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

  • 2 Samuel 17:13

    Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

  • 2 Samuel 16:15

    ¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

  • 2 Samuel 15:1

    ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

  • 2 Samuel 15:18

    And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.
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