O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
David’s astonished cry isn't just about the sheer number of his enemies, but the shocking growth of their ranks. He's not just facing foes, but seeing his own people and even his son rise against him, a betrayal that stings deeper than any external attack.
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
David penned this psalm during his desperate flight from Jerusalem, forced to abandon his throne by a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom. This isn't just a personal crisis, but a widespread revolt where, astonishingly, many of Israel's people have turned against their king, forcing David into a position of extreme vulnerability.
Imagine your deepest trust shattered by someone you love. David faces this with his own son.
This psalm is set against the backdrop of Absalom's rebellion. David, the king, is forced to flee Jerusalem because his own son has turned the people against him. The scholars point out that David is astonished by the sheer scale of this betrayal – not just a few disgruntled citizens, but a widespread revolt involving his own counselors and a significant portion of Israel. It’s a stark reminder that betrayal can come from the closest quarters, causing profound personal anguish.
When everything seems lost, where do you turn? David's first instinct is to cry out to God.
In the face of overwhelming opposition, David doesn't first strategize or retaliate. His immediate response is to address the Lord. This isn't just a casual prayer; it's a raw, honest cry born out of desperation and astonishment.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence and faithfulness to His people. It is the most sacred name, often associated with His redemptive acts.
tsar · Hebrew Noun
Those who actively oppose, harbor hostility toward, or seek the harm of another. In the Psalms, this often refers to both physical enemies and spiritual adversaries who oppose the righteous.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
The immaterial part of a human, representing the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and spiritual life. It is the core of a person’s existence before God.
yeshu'ah · Hebrew Noun
Divine deliverance, rescue, or victory. It encompasses preservation from danger, spiritual liberation, and ultimate reconciliation with God.
selah · Hebrew Noun
A musical or liturgical term of uncertain precise meaning, likely indicating a pause, a crescendo, or a call for meditative reflection on the preceding truth.
This psalm was born out of profound personal crisis, as David faced betrayal by his own son and a widespread revolt, highlighting how deeply personal pain can lead to intimate reliance on God.
c. 970 BC
Absalom's Rebellion Begins
Absalom, David's son, begins a rebellion from Hebron, quickly gaining popular support and convincing many in Israel that he is a more just ruler.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David Flees Jerusalem
Facing a massive revolt led by his own son Absalom, King David is forced to abandon Jerusalem and flee eastward across the Jordan River.
c. 970 BC
Ahithophel's Counsel
The trusted advisor Ahithophel defects to Absalom's side and advises him to pursue David immediately with 12,000 men, a plan David's forces narrowly escape.
c. 970 BC
Hushai's Counter-Counsel
Hushai, another of David's advisors who remained in Jerusalem, offers counsel to Absalom that delays the pursuit and allows David time to regroup.
c. 970 BC
Battle of Ephraim's Wood
David's loyal army, led by Joab, defeats Absalom's forces in the forest of Ephraim, though David orders his men to spare Absalom's life.
c. 970 BC
Absalom's Death
Absalom is killed by Joab against David's orders after his hair becomes entangled in a tree, leading to David's profound grief.
This passage describes the very historical event that prompted this psalm, highlighting Absalom's growing rebellion and how 'the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom,' mirroring David's astonishment at the multitude of his foes.
Psalms 55:12-14Like Psalm 3, this psalm expresses deep anguish over betrayal by close companions, detailing the pain of facing enemies who were once trusted friends, a theme resonating with David's situation with Absalom and his advisors.
Matthew 26:47-50This New Testament account shows Jesus facing betrayal and arrest, surrounded by a multitude with swords and clubs, illustrating the overwhelming number of adversaries that can rise up against God's anointed, even in their darkest hours.
Romans 8:37While Psalm 3 details the overwhelming numbers of those opposing God's servant, Romans 8 offers the powerful counterpoint: in all these troubles, believers are 'more than conquerors through him who loved us,' assuring victory even when outnumbered.
clarkePsalms 3:1: "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me."
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? - We are told that the hearts of all Israel went after Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:13 ; and David is astonished to find such a sudden and general revolt. Not only the common people, but his counsellors also, and many of his chief captains. How publicly does God take vengeance for the sins which David commit…
gillPsalms 3:1: "A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me."
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me?.... David's enemies increased in the conspiracy against him, 2 Samuel 15:12 ; the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, and against him. Christ's enemies increased when Judas with a multitude came to take him; when the body of the common people cried out, Crucify him; when the assembly of t…
David’s astonished cry isn't just about the sheer number of his enemies, but the shocking growth of their ranks. He's not just facing foes, but seeing his own people and even his son rise against him, a betrayal that stings deeper than any external attack.
David penned this psalm during his desperate flight from Jerusalem, forced to abandon his throne by a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom. This isn't just a personal crisis, but a widespread revolt where, astonishingly, many of Israel's people have turned against their king, forcing David into a position of extreme vulnerability.
David penned this psalm during his desperate flight from Jerusalem, forced to abandon his throne by a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom. This isn't just a personal crisis, but a widespread revolt where, astonishingly, many of Israel's people have turned against their king, forcing David into a position of extreme vulnerability.
"O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah" — David’s astonished cry isn't just about the sheer number of his enemies, but the shocking growth of their ranks. He's not just facing foes, but seeing his own people and even his son rise against him…
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Last reviewed October 2026