Read & explore together
Deliver Me, O LORD!
Psalm 3 is a prayer-song that begins with many enemies and ends with confidence in Yahweh. The speaker reports what others say, then answers those words with prayer, trust, and a clear confession about salvation.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the speaker addresses Yahweh directly. Many adversaries have increased, and many say there is no help for him in God. The poem responds by describing Yahweh as protector and answerer, then speaks of sleep, waking, rescue, and blessing.
Psalms 3:1–8Main takeaway
This psalm shows a speaker turning from the words of many opponents to trust in Yahweh, who answers and saves.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Many rise up and many speak against himThe psalm opens with pressure from many adversaries. The speaker says they have increased, and many rise up against him.
Explanation
The psalm opens with pressure from many adversaries. The speaker says they have increased, and many rise up against him. He also reports what many say about him: “There is no help for him in God.” The word “Selah” appears at the end of this statement.
02Yahweh is shield, glory, and the one who answersThe next words turn strongly toward Yahweh: “But you, Yahweh.” The speaker calls Yahweh a shield around him, his glory, and the one who lifts up his head.
Explanation
The next words turn strongly toward Yahweh: “But you, Yahweh.” The speaker calls Yahweh a shield around him, his glory, and the one who lifts up his head. He cries to Yahweh with his voice, and says Yahweh answers him out of his holy hill. “Selah” appears again here.
03Sustained through sleep and without fearThe speaker then describes lying down, sleeping, and awakening. He gives the reason plainly: “for Yahweh sustains me.”
Explanation
The speaker then describes lying down, sleeping, and awakening. He gives the reason plainly: “for Yahweh sustains me.” Because Yahweh sustains him, he says he will not be afraid, even of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against him on every side.
04A cry for rescue and a closing confessionThe psalm ends with a direct appeal: “Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God!” It speaks of enemies struck on the cheek bone and the teeth of the wicked broken.
Explanation
The psalm ends with a direct appeal: “Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God!” It speaks of enemies struck on the cheek bone and the teeth of the wicked broken. The closing words broaden out to God’s people: “Salvation belongs to Yahweh. May your blessing be on your people.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the many people say about the speaker, and what names or images does the speaker use for Yahweh in reply?
Compare the claim in Psalms 3:2 with the descriptions in Psalms 3:3 and the answer in Psalms 3:4.
02What reason does the speaker give for waking after sleep?
Stay with the exact explanation in Psalms 3:5.
03How does the ending move from one person’s prayer to a statement about Yahweh and his people?
Notice the shift from “Save me” in Psalms 3:7 to the final words of Psalms 3:8.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 3:1–8
1Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
2Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.
3But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4I cry to Yahweh with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5I laid myself down and slept. I awakened, for Yahweh sustains me.
6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.
7Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
8Salvation belongs to Yahweh. May your blessing be on your people. Selah.