Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. See App-65.

when. The first psalm with an historical title. See App-63and App-64. Compare 2 Samuel, chapters 15-18.

how . . . ! Figure of speech Exclamatio (App-6), for emphasis.

increased = multiplied.

Many = what multitudes.

Verse 2

Many. Figure of speech Anaphora.

my soul = me, or myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

help = salvation, or deliverance.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Selah. Connecting the contrast between "man" (as a creature) who knows God (Elohim) only as Creator, with the speaker (David), who knew Jehovah as his Covenant God. See App-4and Psalms 66:11.

Verse 3

art a shield. Figure of speech Metaphor (App-6); "shield" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for defence.

for me = about me.

mine head. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, put for whole person.

Verse 4

cried = shall cry.

heard = will answer.

holy hill. See note on Psalms 2:6.

Selah. Connecting the peace which comes from prayer, as in Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:6. See App-66.

Verse 5

slept = have slept. At Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:27-29).

sustained = was sustaining.

Verse 7

ungodly = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

Verse 8

Salvation = deliverance, same word as "help", Psalms 3:2.

Thy blessing is = Thy blessing hast been, and wilt be: i.e. whatever may happen to me. In this spirit he sends back the Ark (2 Samuel 15:25.

Selah. Connecting Psalm 3 with Psalm 4, which has the same subject. See App-66.

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

Neginoth = smitings; from nagan, to strike, as on strings. See App-65. Here the reference is to the smitings with words in Psalm3, as in Lamentations 3:63 (compare Job 30:9. Lamentations 3:14). Compare the other Neginoth Psalms: Psalms 3:2; Psalms 5:6; Psalms 53:1; Psalms 54:3; Psalms 60:1, Psalms 60:11, Psalms 60:12; Psalms 66:10-12; Psalms 75:4-6 (Compare Psalms 77:7, Isaiah 38:20, and Habakkuk 3:19).