Psalms 3:6

KJV

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will not be afraid {H3372} of ten thousands {H7233} of people {H5971}, that have set {H7896} themselves against me round about {H5439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am not afraid of the tens of thousands set against me on every side.

Berean Standard Bible

I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.

American Standard Version

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people That have set themselves against me round about.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 3:6 captures King David's profound confidence and courage in the face of overwhelming opposition, declaring, "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about." This powerful declaration stands as a testament to faith triumphing over fear, even when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable threats, underscoring the deep security found in divine protection amidst dire circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 3 opens with David's lament and cry for help, acknowledging the multitude of his adversaries and those who mock his trust in God (Psalm 3:1-2). However, the tone swiftly shifts from distress to confident declaration. Verses 3-5 establish the foundation of David's security: God is his shield, his glory, and the lifter of his head, who answers him from His holy hill. It is from this bedrock of divine protection and answered prayer that David's fearless resolve in Psalm 3:6 emerges. The verse marks a pivotal moment of unwavering trust, setting the stage for his peaceful rest (Psalm 3:5) and ultimate conviction in God's salvation (Psalm 3:8).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalm 3 explicitly states, "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son." This historical backdrop is crucial. David was not facing a foreign army but a rebellion orchestrated by his own beloved son, Absalom, who had cunningly "stolen the hearts of the men of Israel" [2 Samuel 15:6](/2_samuel/15-6 "2 Samuel 15:6 - Absalom Steals Hearts"). This was a betrayal of the deepest kind, compounded by the defection of trusted advisors like Ahithophel [2 Samuel 15:31](/2_samuel/15-31 "2 Samuel 15:31 - Ahithophel's Betrayal"). The "ten thousands of people" were not just a military threat but fellow Israelites, making the opposition both numerically overwhelming and emotionally devastating. In a culture where a king's legitimacy was tied to divine favor and popular support, such widespread rebellion would naturally induce profound fear, shame, and a sense of abandonment, highlighting the extraordinary nature of David's faith.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 3:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it exemplifies **Divine Protection and Security**, demonstrating that God's presence is a greater safeguard than any earthly army. Despite being outnumbered by "ten thousands of people," David's declaration of fearlessness stems from his conviction that the Lord is his shield [Psalm 3:3](/psalms/3-3 "Psalm 3:3 - God as David's Shield"). Secondly, the verse highlights the triumph of **Faith Over Fear**. David's confidence is not based on his own strength or the size of his loyal few, but on his unwavering belief in God's power and faithfulness, serving as a timeless message for believers facing daunting circumstances. Finally, it underscores the theme of **God's Deliverance**. Implicit in David's fearlessness is his expectation of God's intervention, knowing that his help comes from the Lord, who is able to save him from all his troubles, even those that seem to "set themselves against me round about" [Psalm 3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Afraid (Hebrew, _yare'_):** This verb signifies a deep, reverential fear, but also a common human emotion of terror or dread in the face of danger. David's declaration "I will not be afraid" is not a denial of the natural human response to overwhelming threat, but a conscious, faith-driven refusal to succumb to it. It implies a deliberate act of will to trust God more than his circumstances.
* **Ten thousands (Hebrew, _riv'vot_):** This term literally means "myriads" or "tens of thousands." It is used here not necessarily as a precise numerical count but as a hyperbole to convey an overwhelming, innumerable multitude. It emphasizes the sheer scale of the opposition David faced, making his declaration of fearlessness all the more remarkable and highlighting the disproportionate nature of the threat compared to his own resources.
* **Round about (Hebrew, _saviv_):** This adverb paints a vivid picture of complete encirclement. It suggests that David's enemies were not just numerous but were pressing in on him from every direction, leaving no escape. This imagery intensifies the sense of vulnerability and isolation, underscoring the dire nature of his situation and the pervasive hostility he faced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will not be afraid":** This opening clause is a resolute declaration of David's inner state. It signifies a conscious choice to reject fear, despite the terrifying external reality. This is not bravado, but a settled conviction rooted in his prior affirmations of God's protective presence and responsive power (Psalm 3:3-5). It speaks to a supernatural peace that transcends understanding.
* **"of ten thousands of people":** This phrase specifies the nature and scale of the threat. The "ten thousands" (myriads) emphasize the overwhelming numerical superiority of his adversaries. The "people" are his own countrymen, making the betrayal and the sheer multitude of those against him a profoundly distressing reality. David acknowledges the magnitude of the opposition without being paralyzed by it.
* **"that have set [themselves] against me round about":** This final clause vividly describes the pervasive and encompassing nature of the hostility. The imagery of being "set against" and "round about" conveys a sense of siege, encirclement, and inescapable danger. It paints a picture of being cornered, with enemies closing in from every side, leaving no avenue for escape or relief. Yet, even in this dire situation, David maintains his fearless resolve.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 3:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "ten thousands of people," which is used not as a literal count but to convey an overwhelming, almost immeasurable multitude, emphasizing the severity of the threat David faced. This exaggeration serves to magnify David's courageous faith in the face of such odds. The phrase "set themselves against me round about" creates powerful **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of complete encirclement and pervasive hostility, evoking a sense of being trapped and besieged. This visual metaphor underscores the dire nature of David's situation. Furthermore, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the overwhelming external threat (the "ten thousands of people" surrounding him) and David's internal state of unwavering fearlessness. This juxtaposition highlights the supernatural source of his courage, which defies natural human response to such danger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 3:6 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine protection and the power of faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. It articulates the truth that true security is not found in the absence of threats or the strength of one's own forces, but in the unwavering presence and power of God. David's declaration is a testament to the principle that when God is for us, the numerical superiority of our enemies becomes irrelevant. This verse invites believers to cultivate a radical trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, recognizing that His shield is more potent than any human army. It affirms that the peace and courage granted by God can transcend even the most dire and encircling circumstances, enabling His people to stand firm when all seems lost.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 3:6 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that the principles of faith and divine protection are timeless. While we may not face physical armies, we often encounter "ten thousands" of challenges that seem to set themselves "round about" us: overwhelming financial crises, debilitating health battles, complex relational conflicts, or intense spiritual attacks. This verse calls us to emulate David's resolute declaration of fearlessness. Our confidence is not to be rooted in our own strength, resources, or the absence of problems, but in the unwavering presence and power of God. Just as David found his shield and glory in the Lord, we are invited to place our trust in Him, knowing that He is able to deliver us and grant us peace even amidst the storm. Cultivating this spirit of fearlessness means actively choosing to believe God's promises over our circumstances, allowing His peace to guard our hearts and minds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "ten thousands" are currently setting themselves against you "round about" in your life?**
* **In what specific ways can you choose to "not be afraid" by actively trusting God in those circumstances?**
* **How does David's confidence in God's protection (Psalm 3:3-5) inform your own ability to face overwhelming odds?**

### FAQ
**How can David declare "I will not be afraid" when he is clearly in distress in earlier verses of the psalm?**

Answer: David's declaration in Psalm 3:6 is not a denial of his initial distress, but rather a testament to the transformative power of faith and prayer. In Psalm 3:1-2, David openly expresses his lament, acknowledging the multitude of his adversaries and their taunts. However, the psalm quickly pivots. Verses 3-5 describe David's turning to God, affirming the Lord as his "shield," "glory," and the one who "lifts up my head." He recounts crying out to the Lord and being answered from God's holy hill. Therefore, the declaration "I will not be afraid" in verse 6 is the *result* of his communion with God and the renewed confidence that comes from divine assurance. It's not a stoic suppression of emotion, but a supernatural peace born from a settled trust in God's protective presence and power, even when surrounded by overwhelming opposition. His fearlessness is a faith-response, not a lack of awareness of danger.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 3:6, with David's fearless declaration in the face of overwhelming opposition, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, a type of the greater King, faced a rebellion of "ten thousands," but Jesus faced not only the physical crowds who turned against Him [Matthew 26:47](/matthew/26-47 "Matthew 26:47 - The Arrest of Jesus") but also the spiritual "principalities and powers" that set themselves "round about" humanity. Yet, in the face of betrayal, abandonment, and the ultimate threat of death, Jesus displayed an unparalleled fearlessness. He resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem"), endured the cross "for the joy that was set before him" [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith"), and ultimately disarmed these spiritual foes in His triumph [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). Where David's confidence was in God's protection *of* him, Christ's fearlessness was rooted in His divine nature and His mission *to* accomplish salvation, ultimately conquering sin, death, and all the "ten thousands" of spiritual enemies that set themselves against humanity. He is the one who offers His followers a peace that transcends fear, declaring, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 8:31

¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Psalms 27:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 27:3

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

2 Kings 6:15

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?