Chapter 3

Ps.3:1. Psalm to David, who sometimes ran away from the face of his son Absalom. So says the inscription presented to the psalm. For the psalm says that the face of the prophets suffers persecution from the Jewish people. “David” is interpreted as coveted, and such is the face of the prophets. And therefore, just as Absalom plotted indignation against his father, that is, David; so the Jews rebelled against the fathers of their prophets, not accepting God's commands, but opposing them. Ps.3:2. Lord, why have you multiplied the cold? The phrase “that” is used instead of “very”. Ps.3:3. There is no salvation for him in his God, that is, God will not save him. For they looked only at the sin he had committed, not knowing his repentance. And this clearly shows that the psalm is talking about David. For to rebel is actually said about those who were formerly subject to citizenship, and then undertook war. Ps.3:4. You, Lord, are my protector. Words befitting the faith of a prophet who unshakably endures so many misfortunes and hopes that he will not be abandoned, but on the contrary, will find help for himself, ascend and receive the kingdom. For this, according to the interpretation of some, means: “lift up the head.” Therefore, the glory of the righteous is God in whom he trusted; and to whom God is the glory, he will lift up the head. Ps.3:5. I cried out to the Lord with my voice. This saying teaches that in difficult circumstances one should resort to no one other than God. First I placed a prayer, then, after the diapsalma, thanksgiving for receiving what was asked. Now he turns his face to us, tells how he prayed and was heard, and says: “I cried out to the Lord with my voice.” By “voice” we should mean the mental petition of the mind to the God of all. For he is not talking about crying, but about prayer spoken with the mind. The words: “hearing me from the mountain” are said in accordance with the generally accepted image of the idea. For they thought that God lived in the tabernacle, because from there the prophetic answers were given to the priests. Or: “from the holy mountain” - means: from heaven, which is the meaning of the expressions: “to your holy mountain” (Ps. 14:1), and: “draw near to the eternal mountains” (Mic. 2:9). The holy mountain of God can mean the mountain from which God, the Only Begotten of God, hears those praying, and about which it is said: “The mountain of the Lord will be revealed in the last days” (Is. 2:2); because this saying signifies the appearance of the Lord at His coming at the end of the ages. Or: “from the holy mountain,” from heaven. And the holy mountain of God is the supernatural knowledge of God. Diapsalma is either a change in the musical mode, or a turn in thought and the power of words. Ps.3:6. I fell asleep and fell asleep. He talks about the sleep of the mind, from which he fell into sin. And what was said: “I arose” means: having been worthy of God’s change, I became better from the evils that befell me. Ps.3:8. For You have struck down all those who are at enmity with me in vain. Smite, crush, or smite. He prays to God for a speedy uprising or revenge on enemies. “In vain” has enemies who give no reason for hatred. He calls the teeth of sinners either the strength of those who sin against him, or their slander and blasphemy. Or the teeth of sinners are unreasonable thoughts that appear unnaturally in us; because using our thoughts as teeth, opponents often approach us to devour our flesh, that is, what is generated by the flesh. For “the matter of the flesh has been revealed,” says the divine Apostle (Gal. 5:19). The Psalmist speaks of teeth in a figurative sense, taking the image from animals whose strength lies primarily in their teeth, so that by breaking their teeth they become harmless. For both murderers and bloodsuckers are worse than the most bloodthirsty animals, or are likened to them. Ps.3:9. The Lord's salvation is. “Save me, O Lord,” says David (Ps. 3:8). But I beg that this extend to all the people. One should know that the entire psalm can be attributed to the human race, which has sinned and for this is most betrayed by mental enemies, but who cried out in sorrow and was heard by God and saved by His resurrection from the dead and the defeat of the demons that were hostile to us. For He is the “member of lions” who crushed the Lord (Ps. 57:7); He, or from Him, is salvation. I do not place my hope in man, says David, but from You we expect salvation, both I and Your people, who together with me are being fought by enemies. You might be interested in: