Psalm 3:1

Berean Standard Bible

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!

King James Bible

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.

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O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! These words, penned by David in the anguish of his flight from Absalom, his son, open the third Psalm with a cry that reverberates through the ages, encapsulating the heart’s lament in the face of overwhelming adversity. This verse, brief yet laden with emotion, serves as both a historical record and a timeless expression of human struggle, inviting the reader to ponder the nature of opposition, the weight of betrayal, and the posture of faith amidst trial.

The invocation, "O Lord," stands as the cornerstone of the verse, a direct appeal to the covenant God, Yahweh, whose name signifies His eternal presence and unchanging faithfulness. David’s cry is not to an abstract deity but to the God who has bound Himself to His people through promise and steadfast love. This address establishes the Psalm’s theological foundation, for it is to God alone that David turns, acknowledging His sovereignty even as he stands besieged. The immediacy of the cry suggests both urgency and intimacy, as if David, in his distress, instinctively reaches for the One who has proven Himself faithful in times past. Herein lies a profound truth: the soul’s first recourse in affliction is to call upon the Lord, whose ear is ever attentive to the pleas of His servants.

The phrase "how many are my foes" reveals the magnitude of David’s plight. The Hebrew term for "foes," *tsarar*, connotes those who press in, who constrict and oppose, evoking a sense of encirclement and hostility. David’s enemies are not merely numerous but aggressively arrayed against him, their multitude amplifying the threat. This is no abstract fear but a tangible reality, rooted in the historical context of Absalom’s rebellion, as recorded in 2 Samuel 15–17. The king, anointed by God, finds himself hunted by a coalition led by his own son, a betrayal that cuts deeper than the swords of strangers. The plurality of foes speaks not only to their number but to the seeming insurmountability of the opposition, a circumstance that might tempt one to despair. Yet, in voicing this reality, David does not succumb to hopelessness; rather, he lays bare his heart before God, naming the trial in its fullness.

The second clause, "how many rise up against me," intensifies the lament, employing the verb *qum*, which denotes a deliberate and active uprising. This is not a passive opposition but a concerted effort to overthrow David’s rightful place as God’s anointed. The repetition of "how many" underscores the overwhelming odds, a rhetorical device that mirrors the psalmist’s perception of being hemmed in on every side. In the cultural and spiritual context of ancient Israel, to "rise up" against the Lord’s anointed was not merely a political act but a defiance of divine order, for the king was God’s chosen representative. Thus, David’s lament carries a dual weight: the personal sting of betrayal and the theological affront to God’s established authority.

Yet, within this cry of distress lies an implicit trust, for the very act of addressing God suggests that David believes his plight is not beyond divine notice or remedy. The verse, while saturated with the language of crisis, is not a complaint born of unbelief but a prayer rooted in covenantal relationship. David’s foes may be many, but his God is singular and supreme. The structure of the verse—beginning with "O Lord" and followed by the enumeration of enemies—reflects a movement from divine address to human reality, a pattern that recurs throughout the Psalms. This movement teaches that the acknowledgment of adversity is not the end of faith but its beginning, for it is in naming the trial before God that the soul finds the courage to hope.

The historical setting of Psalm 3, as indicated by its superscription, "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son," provides a lens through which to understand the depth of this lament. Absalom’s rebellion was not merely a political coup but a familial wound, a son’s treachery against his father. The pain of such betrayal infuses the verse with a poignant intensity, for the foes are not distant adversaries but those who were once near, perhaps even trusted. This context elevates the verse beyond a mere cry for help; it becomes a meditation on the human condition, where loyalty can falter, and those closest may become instruments of opposition. Yet, David’s appeal to God suggests that even in the face of such personal and communal upheaval, divine fidelity remains unshaken.

Theologically, Psalm 3:1 invites reflection on the nature of opposition to the righteous. The Scriptures often portray the godly as beset by enemies, whether physical, spiritual, or internal. David’s experience prefigures the trials of Christ, the ultimate Anointed One, who faced the hostility of those He came to save. The verse also resonates with the believer’s experience, for who among the faithful has not felt the weight of opposition, whether from external forces or the inner turmoil of doubt and fear? In this light, David’s cry becomes a universal prayer, a voice for all who find themselves surrounded yet dare to call upon the Lord.

Moreover, the verse subtly introduces the theme of divine deliverance, which unfolds in the subsequent verses of the Psalm. By beginning with lament, David sets the stage for the testimony of God’s salvation that follows. The foes may be many, but the Lord is greater; their uprising may be fierce, but God’s protection is sure. This tension between human opposition and divine faithfulness is the heartbeat of Psalm 3, and it begins here, in the raw honesty of a king who, though driven from his throne, still lifts his voice to the One who reigns over all.

In conclusion, Psalm 3:1 is a profound opening to a Psalm of trust, encapsulating the paradox of faith in the midst of trial. David’s cry to God, his candid acknowledgment of his foes, and his implicit trust in divine aid invite the reader to approach God with similar honesty and confidence. The verse reminds us that the multitude of our enemies, whether they be external adversaries or internal struggles, cannot diminish the power of the One to whom we cry. In its brevity, it captures the essence of human vulnerability and divine sufficiency, setting the tone for the Psalm’s ultimate declaration: salvation belongs to the Lord.

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Grace and peace be multiplied to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns from everlasting to everlasting and whose mercy endures forever. I write to you, beloved of the Lord, as one who shares in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and in the hope of His glorious resurrection. May these words find you steadfast in faith and abounding in love, even in days of great trial.

It is no strange thing, dear brothers and sisters, that we find ourselves surrounded at times by adversity. The psalmist cried out, saying, “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me.” And so too in our day, many trials rise up as adversaries of our peace; many are the voices that seek to trouble our hearts; many are the burdens that lie heavy upon the soul. Yet we are not without hope, nor are we abandoned to despair.

For consider the servant of God, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, who uttered this cry in the wilderness, pursued by his own son, betrayed by those once trusted. His was a plight grievous to bear. And yet, what did he do? Did he not lift his voice unto the Lord? Did he not pour out his heart before the One who hears prayer? Thus we learn, beloved, that when foes arise—whether men or unseen powers, whether affliction of the body or anguish of the mind—the proper refuge is not in human strength, nor in the counsel of the ungodly, but in the living God.

I beseech you, therefore, when your soul is cast down, do not hold back your lament. Let the cry of your heart ascend as incense before the throne of grace. The Lord is not wearied by your groanings, nor is He deaf to your supplications. He is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Though your foes be many, the Lord is greater still. Though many rise against you, none can stand before Him who rides upon the heavens to help you.

Beloved, understand that adversity is no sign of divine abandonment. Indeed, it is often the furnace in which faith is refined and trust is made pure. Did not our Lord Jesus endure contradiction from sinners? Was He not surrounded by those who sought His life, yet without cause? And did He not entrust Himself to Him who judges justly? In this we have an example, that we should follow in His steps.

Therefore, let your confidence rest not in outward circumstances, which change as the wind, but in the unchanging goodness of our God. Let not the multitude of your adversaries terrify you, for greater is He who is with us than all that may be against us. The Lord is your shield; His glory surrounds you. Even when sleep eludes you or tears are your food day and night, yet He sustains you. He lifts your head high in the day of trouble.

Remember this also: the battle belongs to the Lord. Though your enemies be strong and cunning, they shall not prevail against the purposes of God. In due time, He will scatter the proud and exalt the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under His mighty hand, that He may lift you up. Stand firm in the armor of God; let the word of Christ dwell richly within you. Pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances.

Finally, beloved, take heart. The Lord, who delivered David from all his foes, shall also deliver you. He who spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, with Him, graciously give us all things? Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore, in the face of many foes, lift up your eyes to the hills, from whence comes your help. Your help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and forevermore.

To Him be glory, dominion, and praise, now and always,

Amen.

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O Lord our God, Most High and Almighty, whose throne is established in righteousness and whose kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting, we come before You this day with reverence and with trembling, yet also with confidence, knowing that You are a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon Your name.

O Lord, how many are our foes; how many rise against us! The adversaries of our souls are great, and they gather as a multitude against Your people. Troubles rise up like waves of the sea; sorrows encompass us as the cords of death. Without and within, we feel pressed on every side; fear and anguish seek to take hold of our hearts. The voices of doubt whisper in the night; the arrows of the evil one fly by day. Many say of us, “There is no salvation for them in God.” Yet we lift our eyes unto You, for You alone are our help and our deliverer.

O Lord, You are a shield around us, our glory, and the lifter of our heads. In You alone do we take refuge. When we are surrounded, You encamp about us. When we lie down in fear, You grant us rest. When we awaken, it is by Your sustaining hand. Therefore, though ten thousand foes should rise against us on every side, yet will we not fear, for You are with us.

Hear now the cry of Your people, O Lord. Look upon our affliction and see our need. We are weary from striving; our strength is spent; our hearts are faint. Yet You, O Lord, are the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. In Your great mercy, arise, O Lord; save us, O our God. Break the power of the adversary; scatter those who seek our harm; confound the counsels of the wicked.

Have regard, O Lord, for the cause of the righteous. Let not the faithful be put to shame. Uphold those who trust in You; establish them in Your truth. Let those who walk in darkness see a great light; let the brokenhearted be healed; let the weary find rest in You. Grant wisdom to those who lead; grant courage to those who are oppressed; grant peace to those whose hearts are troubled.

O Sovereign Lord, in the midst of many foes, grant us the grace to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who persecute us. May we not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Keep us from the snares of bitterness and vengeance; let our hearts be governed by Your Spirit. Clothe us with the full armor of God, that we may stand firm in the evil day.

Renew in us, O Lord, a steadfast spirit. Let faith arise where fear would reign. Let hope abound where despair threatens. Let love overflow where hatred seeks to divide. May Your people be as lights shining in a dark world, proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

O God of our salvation, to You belong deliverance and glory. You who have delivered us from sin and death by the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, will surely deliver us still. Therefore, with grateful hearts, we praise You. With trusting hearts, we cling to You. With expectant hearts, we look to You.

Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen.