Psalm 3 · a question people ask

Does Psalm 3 tell the story of Absalom's rebellion?

In the text

The title names the occasion: "A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son" (3:1). The story itself is told in 2 Samuel 15 to 18, from "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom" (2 Samuel 15:13) to David's grief at the news of Absalom's death (2 Samuel 18:33). The psalm doesn't retell it. Apart from the title, the psalm names no person but the LORD and God: not Absalom, and not any of the adversaries, the "many" (3:1-2). It doesn't say who said "There is no help for him in God" (3:2), or where the psalmist lay down (3:5). These notes set the title beside 2 Samuel as the texts stand, and don't fill in the psalm's lines from the story, or say when the title was written.

The verses

“A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, 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.”
Psalm 3:1-2 · World English Bible
“I laid myself down and slept. I awakened, for the LORD sustains me.”
Psalm 3:5 · World English Bible
“A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.””
2 Samuel 15:13 · World English Bible
“The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!””
2 Samuel 18:33 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 3

Psalm 3: A shield around me

The many say, "There is no help for him in God" (3:2), and the psalm's last verse answers them: "Salvation belongs to the LORD" (3:8). In Hebrew help and Salvation are one word, yeshu'ah. And the verb of the many who "rise up" (3:1) is the verb of the psalmist's "Arise, LORD!" (3:7).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions