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Psalms / Chapter 3
Under heavy pressure and public doubt, the psalm moves from naming the threat to resting in God’s protection, then asks for decisive rescue and ends by locating deliverance and blessing with Yahweh alone.
Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
Many there are who say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, My glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry to Yahweh with my voice, And he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.
I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people Who have set themselves against me on every side.
Arise, 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.
Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people. Selah. Psalm 4 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm by David.
Psalms journey · Psalms 3
Full passage context
Start with the map and timeline, then explore verse notes, background, theology, questions, and related passages.
Prayer, lament, praise, kingship, and hope teach God's people to sing truthfully.
Movement
Worship across the whole story
Artifact
Prayer book of the covenant people
Biblical Timeline
Kingdom
Psalms context: 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context
Kingdom / 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context is set in the kingdom period, where Israel's monarchy from David and Solomon to exile.
Follow the movement of the chapter, then open any passage in its full context.
Context snapshot
Date
Collected across Israel's worship life, c. 1000-450 BC
Genre
Poetry, prayer, and praise
Setting
Israel/Judah worship tradition
Audience
Israel
World Stage
Davidic and temple worship leaders collection over centuries
Psalms gathers prayers and songs from royal, temple, crisis, exile, and restoration settings. Its world is Israel's worship life across generations, bringing covenant memory into praise, lament, confession, and hope.
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