Psalm 3:1 kjv
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psalm 3:1 nkjv
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
Psalm 3:1 niv
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
Psalm 3:1 esv
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
Psalm 3:1 nlt
O LORD, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
Psalm 3 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pss 7:1 | O LORD my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, | David's cry for deliverance from pursuers |
| Pss 25:19 | Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. | Echoes the number and intensity of foes |
| Pss 56:1-2 | Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an assailant oppresses me... many attack me. | Describes constant oppression by many |
| Pss 59:1-3 | Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; | Similar plea against those rising up |
| Pss 118:10-12 | All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off... They surrounded me like bees... | Feeling surrounded by overwhelming enemies |
| Pss 120:6 | Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. | Feeling oppressed by hostile environment |
| Isa 59:19 | when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. | God's intervention against overwhelming foe |
| Lam 1:16 | "For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed." | Similar lament over enemies' triumph |
| Jer 20:10 | For I hear many whispering: "Terror on every side!... Let us denounce him!" | Prophets facing many hostile conspirators |
| Matt 27:39-44 | And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads... And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. | Jesus facing widespread derision/opposition |
| Jn 15:18-20 | "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you... If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." | Disciples forewarned of widespread hatred |
| Acts 4:23-31 | When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them... for truly in this city there were gathered against your holy servant Jesus... | Early Church facing united opposition |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | General principle of facing opposition |
| Heb 12:1-3 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely... Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. | Believers enduring hostility, like Christ |
| 1 Pet 4:12-19 | Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. | Believers facing surprising trials |
| Rev 12:17 | Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. | End-times hostility against God's people |
| 2 Sam 15:13 | And a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom." | Historical context: "many are rising" is literally fulfilled |
| 2 Sam 16:5-7 | When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and he cursed as he came... | Specific instance of an individual rising against David |
| Pss 4:1 | To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! | David's usual recourse to God in distress |
| Pss 5:8 | Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. | David seeks guidance against enemies |
| 2 Sam 17:1-4 | Now Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee." | Enemies actively plotting to "rise" against him |
Psalm 3 verses
Psalm 3 1 Meaning
Psalm 3:1 is a direct and passionate lament from King David to God, expressing profound distress over the vast number and aggressive actions of his adversaries. It captures a moment of intense personal crisis, as David, overwhelmed by a multitude of enemies actively rising against him, turns to the Lord in prayer, voicing his astonishment and profound concern over the scale of the opposition.
Psalm 3 1 Context
Psalm 3 is inscribed with the superscription "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son." This provides the essential historical context for the verse. The psalm vividly captures David's emotional state during the most traumatic period of his reign: the rebellion orchestrated by his own son, Absalom, which drove him from Jerusalem and threatened his life and throne (recounted in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18). David was surrounded by enemies who were once his loyal subjects, and even close advisors like Ahithophel turned against him. The "many" in this verse are not just a few conspirators but a large portion of the nation that had gone after Absalom (2 Sam 15:13), representing a severe existential threat to David, both personally and as king.
Psalm 3 1 Word analysis
- O Lord (יהוה - Yahweh / YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, indicating an intimate, personal relationship. David, even in utter desperation, appeals to his covenant God, not a generic deity. This reflects David's deep theological understanding and reliance on the character of God as revealed to Israel, contrasting with polytheistic beliefs where deities might be indifferent or capricious. His addressing God directly establishes the psalm as a prayer of deep trust amidst overwhelming circumstances.
- how many: The Hebrew particle "מָה רַבּוּ" (mah rabbû) expresses astonishment and a sense of being overwhelmed. It's a rhetorical exclamation, emphasizing the sheer number and the unexpected scale of the opposition. It conveys not just quantity but also a feeling of despair and being outnumbered.
- my foes: The Hebrew word "צָרַי" (tsaray), from the root "צרר" (tsarar), means "adversaries," "distressers," "oppressors," or "those who bring trouble." It's not just "enemies" in a general sense, but those who actively cause distress, constriction, or opposition. This highlights the active, painful nature of the animosity David faces. They are not passive; they are making him suffer.
- Many are rising against me: This phrase uses the Hebrew participle "קָמִים עָלַי" (qamim alay), which literally means "those who rise up against me" or "they who stand up against me." The verb "קוּם" (qum) means to stand up, rise, or revolt. This denotes active, aggressive, and often violent opposition, including rebellion or conspiracy. It directly mirrors Absalom's rebellion where a large contingent of Israelites literally rose up in revolt against their king, forming an army to depose him. This phrase encapsulates the military and political threat David faced, far more potent than mere disagreement or dislike. The "many" reiterates the immense numerical disadvantage and feeling of betrayal from those within his own nation.
- Word group: "how many are my foes! Many are rising against me.": This complete line intensifies the message. The repetition of "many" emphasizes the multitude and growing strength of the opposition. The first part highlights the quantity of hostile parties ("my foes"), while the second elaborates on their active hostility and aggression ("rising against me"). This structure underscores David's feeling of being completely surrounded and under siege by an active, growing, and dangerous force. The phrase also suggests the unexpected betrayal, as David likely never anticipated such widespread opposition from within his own people, led by his own son.
Psalm 3 1 Bonus section
The immediacy of David's prayer, beginning with this exclamation, suggests he is pouring out his heart directly as the events unfold. This isn't a retrospective reflection but a real-time cry of desperation, which characterizes many psalms of lament. The inclusion of the superscription "when he fled from Absalom his son" is unusual for a psalm and underscores the critical importance of understanding the specific historical context for interpreting David's desperate plea. The psalm, though starting in lament, moves quickly to an affirmation of faith (Ps 3:3), which is typical of individual laments in the Psalter—they often begin with complaint but conclude with trust, praise, or an answered petition. This structure demonstrates the resilience of faith, even when surrounded by what seems like insurmountable human opposition. The contrast between the overwhelming "many" foes and the singular, sovereign "Lord" is foundational to the psalm's message of finding refuge in God alone.
Psalm 3 1 Commentary
Psalm 3:1 immediately plunges the reader into the profound crisis David faces during Absalom's rebellion. It is a primal cry of astonishment and deep pain addressed directly to Yahweh. The raw vulnerability of "O Lord, how many are my foes!" speaks to a man utterly overwhelmed, not just by external enemies but by betrayal from within his own family and nation. The repetition and intensity of "many" underscore the dire numerical disadvantage and the widespread defection against him. The "rising against me" emphasizes the active, aggressive, and hostile nature of this opposition, whether through open rebellion, malicious gossip, or military confrontation. This verse sets the stage for a profound spiritual journey where David, stripped of worldly support, turns solely to God as his refuge and glory. It's a timeless expression of feeling besieged by insurmountable odds, yet knowing where true help resides.
- Example: When one feels abandoned by friends and family, facing widespread criticism and opposition from all sides in a spiritual or ethical stand.
- Example: A believer feeling outnumbered in a secular environment, experiencing active resistance to their faith.