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Selected Verse: Psalms 3:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 3:1	Strong Concordance	A Psalm [04210] of David [01732], when he fled [01272] from [06440] Absalom [053] his son [01121]. LORD [03068], how are they increased [07231] that trouble [06862] me! many [07227] are they that rise up [06965] against me.
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
For the historical occasion mentioned, compare 2Sa. 15:1-17:29. David, in the midst of great distress, with filial confidence, implores God's aid, and, anticipating relief, offers praise. (Psa 3:1-8) Lord . . . increased--The extent of the rebellion (Sa2 15:13) surprises and grieves him.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

For the historical occasion mentioned, compare 2Sa. 15:1-17:29. David, in the midst of great distress, with filial confidence, implores God's aid, and, anticipating relief, offers praise. (Psa 3:1-8)

Lord . . . increased--The extent of the rebellion (Sa2 15:13) surprises and grieves him.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
:Title A Psalm of David - literally, belonging to David; that is, belonging to him as the author. This is marked in the Hebrew as the first verse, and so in the Syriac version, the Latin Vulgate, and the Septuagint, making in the Hebrew, and in each of these versions, nine verses in the psalm instead of eight, as in our translation. This may have been prefixed to the psalm by the author himself, for it was not uncommon in ancient times for an author to prefix his name to his own composition, as is commonly done by the apostle Paul in his epistles. It is not absolutely certain, however, that this was done in the Psalms by the authors themselves, but it may have been done by him who collected and arranged the Psalms, indicating the prevalent belief in regard to the authorship, and under the Spirit of inspiration. When he fled - On the occasion of his fleeing. That is, it was composed at that time, or was subsequently composed in remembrance of it. See Introduction, Section 2. From Absalom his son - See the introduction, Section 2. Lord, how are they increased - How are they multiplied; or, how numerous they are. Perhaps the idea is, that at first they seemed to be comparatively few in number, but had now so multiplied as to endanger his crown and life. This is an appropriate expression on the supposition that it refers to Absalom. At first the number of those who adhered to Absalom was not so great as to excite much alarm; but by the arts of a demagogue, by complaining of the government, by saying that if he were made a judge in tim land, every man would have justice done him Sa2 15:4-5, he won the hearts of the people, and gathered so many under his standard as to make it necessary that the king should flee from Jerusalem to a place of safety. That trouble me - literally, my enemies. The allusion is to those who were now enlisted under Absalom, and who were engaged in endeavoring to overthrow the government. Many are they that rise up against me - That is, that have become my enemies.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

:Title

A Psalm of David - literally, belonging to David; that is, belonging to him as the author. This is marked in the Hebrew as the first verse, and so in the Syriac version, the Latin Vulgate, and the Septuagint, making in the Hebrew, and in each of these versions, nine verses in the psalm instead of eight, as in our translation. This may have been prefixed to the psalm by the author himself, for it was not uncommon in ancient times for an author to prefix his name to his own composition, as is commonly done by the apostle Paul in his epistles. It is not absolutely certain, however, that this was done in the Psalms by the authors themselves, but it may have been done by him who collected and arranged the Psalms, indicating the prevalent belief in regard to the authorship, and under the Spirit of inspiration.

When he fled - On the occasion of his fleeing. That is, it was composed at that time, or was subsequently composed in remembrance of it. See Introduction, Section 2.

From Absalom his son - See the introduction, Section 2.

Lord, how are they increased - How are they multiplied; or, how numerous they are. Perhaps the idea is, that at first they seemed to be comparatively few in number, but had now so multiplied as to endanger his crown and life. This is an appropriate expression on the supposition that it refers to Absalom. At first the number of those who adhered to Absalom was not so great as to excite much alarm; but by the arts of a demagogue, by complaining of the government, by saying that if he were made a judge in tim land, every man would have justice done him Sa2 15:4-5, he won the hearts of the people, and gathered so many under his standard as to make it necessary that the king should flee from Jerusalem to a place of safety.

That trouble me - literally, my enemies. The allusion is to those who were now enlisted under Absalom, and who were engaged in endeavoring to overthrow the government.

Many are they that rise up against me - That is, that have become my enemies.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
(Heb.: 3:2-3) The first strophe contains the lament concerning the existing distress. From its combination with the exclamative מה, רבּוּ is accented on the ultima (and also in Psa 104:24); the accentuation of the perf. of verbs עע very frequently (even without the Waw consec.) follows the example of the strong verb, Ges. ֗67 rem. 12. A declaration then takes the place of the summons and the רבּים implied in the predicate רבּוּ now becomes the subject of participial predicates, which more minutely describe the continuing condition of affairs. The ל of לנפשׁי signifies "in the direction of," followed by an address in Psa 11:1 (= "to"), or, as here and frequently (e.g., Gen 21:7) followed by narration (= "of," concerning). לנפשׁי instead of לי implies that the words of the adversaries pronounce a judgment upon his inmost life, or upon his personal relationship to God. ישׁוּעתה is an intensive form for ישׁוּעה, whether it be with a double feminine termination (Ges., Ew., Olsh.), or, with an original (accusative) ah of the direction: we regard this latter view, with Hupfeld, as more in accordance with the usage and analogy of the language (comp. Ps 44:27 with Psa 80:3, and לילה prop. νύκτα, then as common Greek ἡ νύκτα νύχθα). God is the ground of help; to have no more help in Him is equivalent to being rooted out of favour with God. Open enemies as well as disconcerted friends look upon him as one henceforth cast away. David had plunged himself into the deepest abyss of wretchedness by his adultery with Bathsheba, at the beginning of the very year in which, by the renewal of the Syro-Ammonitish war, he had reached the pinnacle of worldly power. The rebellion of Absolom belonged to the series of dire calamities which began to come upon him from that time. Plausible reasons were not wanting for such words as these which give up his cause as lost.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

(Heb.: 3:2-3) The first strophe contains the lament concerning the existing distress. From its combination with the exclamative מה, רבּוּ is accented on the ultima (and also in Psa 104:24); the accentuation of the perf. of verbs עע very frequently (even without the Waw consec.) follows the example of the strong verb, Ges. ֗67 rem. 12. A declaration then takes the place of the summons and the רבּים implied in the predicate רבּוּ now becomes the subject of participial predicates, which more minutely describe the continuing condition of affairs. The ל of לנפשׁי signifies "in the direction of," followed by an address in Psa 11:1 (= "to"), or, as here and frequently (e.g., Gen 21:7) followed by narration (= "of," concerning). לנפשׁי instead of לי implies that the words of the adversaries pronounce a judgment upon his inmost life, or upon his personal relationship to God. ישׁוּעתה is an intensive form for ישׁוּעה, whether it be with a double feminine termination (Ges., Ew., Olsh.), or, with an original (accusative) ah of the direction: we regard this latter view, with Hupfeld, as more in accordance with the usage and analogy of the language (comp. Ps 44:27 with Psa 80:3, and לילה prop. νύκτα, then as common Greek ἡ νύκτα νύχθα). God is the ground of help; to have no more help in Him is equivalent to being rooted out of favour with God. Open enemies as well as disconcerted friends look upon him as one henceforth cast away. David had plunged himself into the deepest abyss of wretchedness by his adultery with Bathsheba, at the beginning of the very year in which, by the renewal of the Syro-Ammonitish war, he had reached the pinnacle of worldly power. The rebellion of Absolom belonged to the series of dire calamities which began to come upon him from that time. Plausible reasons were not wanting for such words as these which give up his cause as lost.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? - We are told that the hearts of all Israel went after Absalom, Sa2 15:13; and David is astonished to find such a sudden and general revolt. Not only the common people, but his counsellors also, and many of his chief captains. How publicly does God take vengeance for the sins which David committed so privately! In the horrible rebellion of Absalom we see the adultery of Bath-sheba, and the murder of Uriah. Now the words of Nathan begin to be fulfilled: "The sword shall not depart from thy house."

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¹³ And there came [0935] a messenger [05046] to David [01732], saying [0559], The hearts [03820] of the men [0376] of Israel [03478] are after [0310] Absalom [053].

¹ A Psalm [04210] of David [01732], when he fled [01272] from [06440] Absalom [053] his son [01121]. LORD [03068], how are they increased [07231] that trouble [06862] me! many [07227] are they that rise up [06965] against me.
² Many [07227] there be which say [0559] of my soul [05315], There is no help [03444] for him in God [0430]. Selah [05542].
³ But thou, O LORD [03068], art a shield [04043] for me; my glory [03519], and the lifter up [07311] of mine head [07218].
⁴ I cried [07121] unto the LORD [03068] with my voice [06963], and he heard [06030] me out of his holy [06944] hill [02022]. Selah [05542].
⁵ I laid me down [07901] and slept [03462]; I awaked [06974]; for the LORD [03068] sustained [05564] me.
⁶ I will not be afraid [03372] of ten thousands [07233] of people [05971], that have set [07896] themselves against me round about [05439].
⁷ Arise [06965], O LORD [03068]; save [03467] me, O my God [0430]: for thou hast smitten [05221] all mine enemies [0341] upon the cheek bone [03895]; thou hast broken [07665] the teeth [08127] of the ungodly [07563].
⁸ Salvation [03444] belongeth unto the LORD [03068]: thy blessing [01293] is upon thy people [05971]. Selah [05542].

⁴ Absalom [053] said [0559] moreover, Oh that I were made [07760] judge [08199] in the land [0776], that every man [0376] which hath any suit [07379] or cause [04941] might come [0935] unto me, and I would do him justice [06663] !
⁵ And it was so, that when any man [0376] came nigh [07126] to him to do him obeisance [07812], he put forth [07971] his hand [03027], and took [02388] him, and kissed [05401] him.

³ Turn us again [07725], O God [0430], and cause thy face [06440] to shine [0215]; and we shall be saved [03467].

⁷ And she said [0559], Who would have said [04448] unto Abraham [085], that Sarah [08283] should have given children [01121] suck [03243]? for I have born [03205] him a son [01121] in his old age [02208].

¹ To the chief Musician [05329], A Psalm of David [01732]. In the LORD [03068] put I my trust [02620]: how say [0559] ye to my soul [05315], Flee [05110] as a bird [06833] to your mountain [02022]?

²⁴ O LORD [03068], how manifold [07231] are thy works [04639]! in wisdom [02451] hast thou made [06213] them all: the earth [0776] is full [04390] of thy riches [07075].

¹³ And there came [0935] a messenger [05046] to David [01732], saying [0559], The hearts [03820] of the men [0376] of Israel [03478] are after [0310] Absalom [053].