Psalm 3:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

NIV: I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

NASB: I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

CSB: I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.

NLT: I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

KJV: I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

NKJV: I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

This expresses intense confidence on the part of David. That is remarkable, since the reference to "many thousands of people" is not symbolic. David's own son, Absalom, considered sending an army of 12,000 men tasked only with killing David (2 Samuel 17:1–3). The influence of David's friend, Hushai, was the only reason this plan was not enacted (2 Samuel 17:15–16). Absalom's army still pursues, but now David has time and space to prepare. Prior verses in this psalm reflect David's confidence in God, based in part on his prior encounters with death and danger (Psalm 18:3–6; 1 Samuel 17:43–47).

Being confident of the Lord's protection led David to say, "I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around." The Bible contains many exhortations to fear not. After Abram refused the rewards the king of Sodom offered him for rescuing the hostages that had been taken from Sodom, the Lord told Abram: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great" (Genesis 15:1). If the king of Sodom felt insulted by Abram's refusal to accept what he offered, he might have planned to attack Abram. However, the Lord was a shield of protection for Abram, and his reward far outweighed what the king of Sodom offered.

When the ship carrying Paul to stand trial in Rome was being tossed violently by a tempest, Paul brought a message of hope to all onboard. He said an angel of God had told him, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you" (Acts 27:23–24). There is nothing to fear if God is our shield.

Psalm 3:1–6 discloses David's plight, arising from the violent coup being waged by his son, Absalom. David's enemies abounded and mocked him. Those around David said God would not deliver him. Psalm 7 complements this passage by expressing David's concern that his enemies constantly assault him. Despite their opposition, David trusts in the Lord as his shield and deliverer. He anticipates God's judgment on his enemies. The mockery expressed in Psalm 3:2 is similar to that of those who crucified Jesus (Luke 23:35–37).

David cries out to the Lord while being pursued by many enemies. Others are telling him the situation is hopeless, that he cannot be delivered from his trouble. However, David testifies that the Lord is his shield and deliverer. He says the Lord answered him from the site of Mount Zion. This answer to prayer led to a good night's sleep and confidence that he had nothing to fear from his many foes. He closes the psalm by declaring that the Lord had slain his enemies in the past and would do so again. The Lord would strike down David's enemies with crushing blows to the head. He knew the Lord delivers those who trust in Him, so he asks the Lord to bless His people.

Psalm 3 finds its background in David's flight from his rebellious son Absalom (2 Samuel 15—18). David had fled from the palace in Jerusalem and was hiding in the desert. This psalm is closely related to Psalm 4, both of which were written by David when he was a fugitive from Absalom. It is the first psalm in the first division of Psalms (Psalm 1—41) that is specifically ascribed to David. In this division only Psalms 1, 2, 10, and 33 do not bear an ascription. David's expressions of confidence in the Lord to protect him from his enemies are also seen in Psalms such as 25, 27, 28, 31, 35, and 41.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.