31 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
31
31 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
31 God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
31 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
31 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
11 Fearless now, I trust in God; what can mere mortals do to me?
11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
(Read Psalm 56:8-13)
The heavy and continued trials through which many of the Lord's people have passed, should teach us to be silent and patient under lighter crosses. Yet we are often tempted to repine and despond under small sorrows. For this we should check ourselves. David comforts himself, in his distress and fear, that God noticed all his grievances and all his griefs. God has a bottle and a book for his people's tears, both the tears for their sins, and those for their afflictions. He observes them with tender concern. Every true believer may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for man has no power but what is given him from above. Thy vows are upon me, O Lord; not as a burden, but as that by which I am known to be thy servant; as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful, and directs me in the way of my duty. And vows of thankfulness properly accompany prayers for mercy. If God deliver us from sin, either from doing it, or by his pardoning mercy, he has delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. Where the Lord has begun a good work he will carry it on and perfect it. David hopes that God would keep him even from the appearance of sin. We should aim in all our desires and expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, that we may do the better service to the Lord; that we may serve him without fear. If his grace has delivered our souls from the death of sin, he will bring us to heaven, to walk before him for ever in light.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 3:1
Commentary on Psalm 3:1-3
(Read Psalm 3:1-3)
An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave to him. A child of God startles at the very thought of despairing of help in God. See what God is to his people, what he will be, what they have found him, what David found in him. 1. Safety; a shield for me; which denotes the advantage of that protection. 2. Honour; those whom God owns for his, have true honour put upon them. 3. Joy and deliverance. If, in the worst of times, God's people can lift up their heads with joy, knowing that all shall work for good to them, they will own God as giving them both cause and hearts to rejoice.