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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Psalms 3:1 - 3:1
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(Heb.: 3:2-3) The first strophe contains the lament concerning the existing distress. From its combination with the exclamative מָה, רַבּוּ is accented on the ultima (and also in Psa 104:24); the accentuation of the perf. of verbs עע very frequently (even without the Waw consec.) follows the example of the strong verb, Ges. §67 rem. 12. A declaration then takes the place of the summons and the רַבִּים implied in the predicate רַבּוּ now becomes the subject of participial predicates, which more minutely describe the continuing condition of affairs. The לְ of לְנַפְשִׁי signifies “in the direction of,” followed by an address in Psa 11:1 (= “to”), or, as here and frequently (e.g., Gen 21:7) followed by narration (= “of,” concerning). לְנַפְשִׁי instead of לִי implies that the words of the adversaries pronounce a judgment upon his inmost life, or upon his personal relationship to God. יְשׁוּעָתָה is an intensive form for יְשׁוּעָה, whether it be with a double feminine termination (Ges., Ew., Olsh.), or, with an original (accusative) ah of the direction: we regard this latter view, with Hupfeld, as more in accordance with the usage and analogy of the language (comp. Ps 44:27 with Psa 80:3, and לַיְלָה prop. νύκτα, then as common Greek ἡ νύκτα νύχθα). God is the ground of help; to have no more help in Him is equivalent to being rooted out of favour with God. Open enemies as well as disconcerted friends look upon him as one henceforth cast away. David had plunged himself into the deepest abyss of wretchedness by his adultery with Bathsheba, at the beginning of the very year in which, by the renewal of the Syro-Ammonitish war, he had reached the pinnacle of worldly power. The rebellion of Absolom belonged to the series of dire calamities which began to come upon him from that time. Plausible reasons were not wanting for such words as these which give up his cause as lost.