Psalm 3

¹Lord , how numerous are my enemies![#tn The Hebrew term מָה (mah, “how”) is used here as an adverbial exclamation (see BDB 553 s.v.).]

Many attack me.

²Many say about me,

“God will not deliver him.” (Selah)

³But you, Lord , are a shield that protects me;[#tn Heb “a shield round about me.”]

you are my glory and the one who restores me.

⁴To the Lord I cried out,[#tn The prefixed verbal form could be an imperfect, yielding the translation “I cry out,” but the verb form in the next line (a vav [ו] consecutive with the preterite) suggests this is a brief narrative of what has already happened. Consequently the verb form in v. 4a is better understood as a preterite, “I cried out.” (For another example of the preterite of this same verb form, see Ps 30:8.) Sometime after the crisis arose, the psalmist prayed to the Lord and received an assuring answer. Now he confidently awaits the fulfillment of the divine promise.]

and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah)

⁵I rested and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord protects me.

⁶I am not afraid of the multitude of people[#tn The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s continuing attitude as he faces the crisis at hand.; #tn Or perhaps “troops.” The Hebrew noun עָם (’am) sometimes refers to a military contingent or army.]

who attack me from all directions.

⁷Rise up, Lord ![#tn In v. 2 the psalmist describes his enemies as those who “confront” him (קָמִים [qamim], literally, “rise up against him”). Now, using the same verbal root (קוּם, qum) he asks the Lord to rise up (קוּמָה, qumah) in his defense.]

Deliver me, my God!

Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw;

you will break the teeth of the wicked.

⁸The Lord delivers;[#tn Heb “to the Lord [is] deliverance.”]

you show favor to your people. (Selah)