The meaning of the Hebrew is obscure. It may refer to a kind of singing voice. Some versions translate, over the death of a son.
The meaning of the Hebrew is obscure. It may refer to a kind of singing voice. Some versions translate, over the death of a son.
Psa. 3 title
This psalm combined with Psa. 10 is one of the alphabetical, or acrostic, psalms. In the acrostic psalms the first letters of each verse, or sometimes of each line of poetry, follow the order of the Hebrew alphabet.
This psalm expresses David’s concept concerning God’s judgment on his enemies among the nations, and in Psalms 10—14 David speaks of man’s condition before God. David’s concept in these six psalms is according to the law given by God (see note Psa. 1:21) and is based on the principle of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9). Nothing in these psalms is related to God’s economy, to God’s interest, to God’s kingdom, or to God’s plan. Everything is concerning David’s personal benefit, personal interest, personal safety, and personal peace. The New Testament believers, who live by Christ as the tree of life for the carrying out of God’s economy, should not take David here as a model.
David’s thought here and in vv. 7-8 is that God sits as the King on the throne only to judge the world in righteousness and with equity, i.e., with justice. His concept is according to the law and according to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In contrast, the principal concept of the New Testament is that Christ rules the world to save the world in mercy and grace (Acts 5:31 and note Acts 5:312). In the New Testament God’s throne is mainly the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), the throne of a loving Savior, not the throne of judgment. From eternity to eternity God’s intention is to love the world, which is composed of fallen men, and to favor man with His mercy and grace (Hosea 6:6, cf. Matt. 9:13; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Titus 3:4-7). Of course, the New Testament also reveals that God’s throne is the throne of God’s authority and that God will judge His own people and the world in His righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 4:17; Rom. 3:19; Rev. 4:2 and Revelation 6:12—20:15).
Psa. 1:5; 96:10, 13; 98:9; Acts 17:31
1 Sam. 2:1; Psa. 13:5; 20:5; 21:1; 35:9
Or, judgment.
Referring, perhaps, to a resounding musical swell or to a meditative choral pause.