The big picture
Psalms 3 opens in verse 1 with “LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 4 with “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.”, and closes in verse 8 with “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Selah, people, afraid, Arise. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 8Psalms 3:1-8
1–8: LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise…
Psalms 3:1–8 opens with “LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.” and reaches “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 3 develops its own movement around LORD, Selah, people, afraid, Arise, with particular weight carried by LORD, Selah, people.
Context that brings the passage to life
“LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.” The line’s distinctive content terms include increased, LORD, rise. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
“But thou, O LORD , art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” The line’s distinctive content terms include glory, head, lifter. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 3:1-8
King James Version1LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3But thou, O LORD , art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7Arise, O LORD ; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 3:1 begins with “LORD , how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 3:3 forms a natural hinge: “But thou, O LORD , art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
The final note
Psalms 3:8 leaves the reader with “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Selah, people, afraid, Arise, awaked help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does blame move through the conversation?
The man points to the woman and indirectly to God; the woman points to the serpent. Neither response repairs trust.
Where does mercy appear?
Continued life, the promise involving offspring, and clothing accompany the expulsion.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.