The security of God's protection, 1-8.
1 [A Psalm of David: when he fled from Absalom his son.]
LORD, how those who trouble me are multiplied!/
Many are those who rise up against me.
2 There are many who say of my soul,/
"There is no help for him in God."/
[Selah.]
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield for me,/
my glory and the lifter up of my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,/
and he heard me from his holy hill./
[Selah.]
5 I laid myself down and slept./
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people/
who have set themselves against me on all sides.
7 Arise, O LORD. Save me, O my God./
For you have smitten all my enemies upon the cheek bone./
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD./
Your blessing is upon your people./
[Selah.]
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 3[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
David, although driven from his kingdom, and pressed down with utter despair of relief from every earthly quarter, ceases not to call upon God, and supports himself from his promise against the greatest terrors, against the mockery and cruel assaults of his enemies; and, finally, against death itself, which then forced itself upon his consideration. In the end of the psalm, he congratulates himself and the whole Church on the happy issue of all.
[v.8a] - From John Calvin's Commentary: "From this passage we learn, that the Church shall always be delivered from the calamities which befall her, because God who is able to save her, will never withdraw his grace and blessing from her."
[v.8b] - Reference, Jonah 2:9.