What does Psalm 3 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible? Lessons for us

The book of Psalms, chapter 3, verses 1-8, outlines how the LORD God helps his people when they are troubled. Specifically, the psalm paints a picture of how God fights against the many enemies who rise to oppose His people. The book also talks about how God sustains His people when they sleep and while they are awake. In short, God is always watching over His people, to deliver them out of trouble.

Bible scholars intimate that Psalm chapter 3 is a psalm of David when he fled from Absalom, his son (Biblegateway.com).

In this lesson, we are going to examine Psalm chapter 3, verse by verse, in order to get to a fuller understanding of what the Holy Spirit is teaching in these verses. Let us get started.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3, verse 1?

Psalm 3:1 says:

“LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.”

This verse speaks of the numerous enemies that usually rise against the faithful servants of the LORD. It is important for every believer to understand that there will always be enemies to contend with during their journey of faith while in this world. But who exactly are these enemies?

These enemies can be grouped into three main categories, that is, Satan, worldliness, and the flesh. This is according to 1 John 2:15-17 that says:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Satan is constantly attacking God’s people via numerous avenues in order to cause them to denounce God and thereby fall into sin. He may attack a believer using his favorite tools of trade, including sicknesses and diseases, economic sabotage, relationship problems, or mind games, among others. The story of Job of the Bible is a good case in point.

Through God’s permission, Satan managed to kill all the children of Job, destroy all his property, and strike him with a terrible sickness. The whole point of inflicting such pain and suffering on Job was to cause him to denounce God. But Job, by the mercies of God, was able to see through the evil scheme of Satan and maintained his faith in God.

The other enemy who every believer must contend with is the world. In this context, the world represents the people amongst whom we live as believers. The world hates believers so much because they represent the Kingdom of Light in a dark world.

Believers aspire to walk in the light and do righteous deeds. On the other hand, the fallen man does not want to walk in the light and do good deeds. Instead, he prefers to walk in darkness and do evil. For this reason, the fallen man will always fight the believer. This is according to John 3:18-21 and John 15:18-20.

John 3:17-21 says:

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

John 15:18-20 says:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.”

Thus, since the world hated and persecuted Christ Jesus, who is our master, the same fate awaits each and every believer.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3, verse 2?

Psalm 3:2 says:

“Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’”

This verse talks of the mockery that is occasionally directed by unbelievers towards believers during the latter’s moments of trial. Unbelievers will always mock the servants of God during their hour of trial in order to discourage them and cause them to doubt their faith in God. There are several instances recorded in the Bible depicting servants of God being ridiculed and mocked by unbelievers. Let us consider two of them.

The first example is when Christ Jesus was on the cross at Calvary. On seeing Him hanging on the cross, the Pharisees and other religious leaders taunted Him by stating, ‘He saved others but couldn’t save himself!’ This is recorded in Matthew 27:42-43:

“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God.” (NKJV)

The second example is that of King David at the time he was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had executed a coup d’état against his father. A man called Shimei took it upon himself to insult and curse King David, claiming that God was punishing him for the sins he had committed against the house of King Saul. This is recorded in the book 2 Samuel 16:7-8 as follows:

“Also, Shimei said thus when he cursed, ‘Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!’” (NKJV)

In light of this, believers should anticipate being mocked during their walk of faith because Christ himself was treated in the same manner.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3, verse 3?

Psalm 3:3 says:

“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

This verse talks of the protection that God accords His servants against attacks from the enemy. The verse also states that God is the lifter of our head, meaning that He gives us the boldness, confidence, and courage to face every challenging situation the enemy brings our way.

To better understand this verse, let us consider what the following scriptures tell us: Genesis 15:1, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 84:11, and Psalm 119:114 as follows:

Genesis 15:1 says:

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’”

Psalm 18:2 says:

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 27:6 says:

“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.”

Psalm 28:7 says:

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”

Psalm 119:114 says:

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Therefore, as believers we should never entertain fear because of the arrows that the enemy sends our way. Instead, we should always walk in the knowledge that God’s protective shield is ever around us to ward off every attack coming from the enemy, thereby guaranteeing our safety. This is in line with Psalm 9:4-5, which says:

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day.”

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3 verse 4?

Psalm 3:4 says:

“I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.”

This psalm teaches us whom to turn to whenever we are overwhelmed by circumstances. We are specifically instructed to always begin by directing our pleas for help to the God who made heaven and earth and no other place.

Human nature is such that when faced with threatening situations, we always begin by first consulting our spouses, children, parents, relatives, friends, or everyone else other than God. It is after all these people have failed to solve our issues that we then remember to turn to God to ‘see’ if He can be of help. The outcome of such an action is always disappointment and heartache because fellow men do not have solutions to our problems but only God.

For this reason, Psalm 121:1-2 instructs us to always seek God first, by stating as follows:

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

Similar instructions are found in Psalm 34:4, Psalm 34:6, and Psalm 50:15.

Psalm 34:4 says:

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:6 says:

“This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Psalm 50:15 says:

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3, verse 5?

Psalm 3:5 says:

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.”

This verse teaches us that even when we are asleep, God watches over us to ensure our safety. This is in line with what scriptures say in Leviticus 26:6, Job 11:19, and Psalm 4:8.

Leviticus 26:6 says:

“I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.”

Job 11:19 says:

“You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; yes, many would court your favor.”

Psalm 4:8 says:

“I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3, verse 6?

Psalm 3:6 says:

“I will not be afraid of ten thousand people who have set themselves against me all around.”

This Psalm teaches us that God is able to protect us from all who rise against us. Similar sentiments are echoed in Psalm 118:10-11 as follows:

“All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.”

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3 verse 7?

Psalm 3:7 says:

“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For you have struck my enemies on the cheekbone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly.”

This verse teaches us that when we call upon God to save us from the enemy, He fights on our behalf and defeats all of them. This promise is repeated in Psalm 7:6 and Psalm 58:6.

Psalm 7:6 says:

“Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; lift up because of the rage of my enemies; rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!”

Psalm 58:6 says:

“Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!”

Thus, with such an assurance from God Himself to fight on our behalf, we can rest assured that nobody can harm or hurt us.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 3 verse 8?

Psalm 3:8 says:

“Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah.”

This verse is another reminder that God is our salvation and the sole origin of our blessing. This promise is repeated in Psalm 37:39-40, Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 45:21-22, Jonah 2:9, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 1:3, and Revelation 7:10.

Psalm 37:39-40 says:

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in Him.”

Isaiah 43:11 says:

“I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.”

Isaiah 45:21-22 says:

“Tell and bring forth your case; yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient times? Who has told it from that time? Have I not, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”

Jonah 2:9 says:

“But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

Ephesians 1:3 says:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Revelation 7:10 says:

“And crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

I hope this is helpful. Thank you.

Related Post: What does Psalms 2 mean in the Bible – Scriptures study lessons

Also Read: What does Psalms 1 verse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mean or teach us

Prayer to get born again

Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.

I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I believe that you died and resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

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