This verse doesn't just state David's lack of fear; it reveals the reason he can stand against "myriads." His confidence isn't in his own strength but in the overwhelming reality that God's power and salvation are infinitely greater than any human force arrayed against him.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is David's prayer during Absalom's rebellion, where he had to flee his own son and many Israelites who had turned against him. After a night of distress and prayer, David found a profound peace, believing the Lord sustained him. This verse follows his description of sleeping soundly amidst extreme danger, expressing newfound courage and trust in God's protection against overwhelming odds.
Imagine facing an overwhelming enemy force. Would you find rest, or be consumed by fear? David’s experience shows that true peace comes from a supernatural source.
The verse doesn't just state David's lack of fear; it follows a profound declaration: 'The LORD sustained me.' This isn't a stoic resolve but a confidence born from God's active support.
Sustained, Not Stupified
David's ability to sleep soundly amidst rebellion (as noted by Calvin) wasn't due to ignorance or numbness. Instead, his faith in God's upholding power calmed his anxieties, allowing for rest even when surrounded by enemies.
The Source of True Courage
This confidence wasn't from David's own strength or numbers, but from recognizing God's omnipotence. The commentaries highlight that strength and numbers mean nothing against God. This divine refuge makes fear baseless.
The description of the enemy isn't casual; it paints a picture of deliberate, strategic opposition. What does this language reveal about the nature of spiritual warfare?
The phrase 'set themselves against me' implies more than just a casual dislike or accidental conflict. It suggests a deliberate, organized arraying of forces for battle.
Calculated Opposition
Commentaries point out that this language evokes a sense of enemies 'arrayed as for battle' (Ellicott) or 'rising up in rebellion' (Barnes). This wasn't a mob but a structured threat, even involving strategic counsel (Cambridge, Barnes).
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Total Encirclement
The addition of 'all around' emphasizes the totality of the threat. David felt completely surrounded, leaving no obvious escape route. Yet, it is precisely in this state of being hemmed in that his declaration of fearlessness rings out.
Understand the original words
yārēʾ · Hebrew Verb
A strong emotion of alarm or anxiety in the face of danger. In a biblical sense, the psalmist expresses a courageous trust in God that overcomes the natural human inclination to fear physical or spiritual threats.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
A reference to the covenantal name of the self-existent God of Israel, who is faithful to His promises and is the personal redeemer of His people.
yāšaʿ · Hebrew Verb
The act of being delivered from distress, danger, or the power of enemies. In Scripture, it signifies both temporal rescue and the ultimate eternal deliverance that comes solely from God.
ʾĕlōhîm · Hebrew Noun
A title expressing a personal, relational connection between the believer and the Creator, emphasizing God as the object of worship and the source of protection.
ʾōyēb · Hebrew Noun
Those who are hostile, aggressive, or antagonistic toward the righteous. In the Psalms, they often represent those who oppose God’s will and His anointed.
rāšāʿ · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who depart from the divine standard of justice and righteousness. Biblically, they are characterized by their rebellion against God and their harmful actions toward others.
yəšûʿâ · Hebrew Noun
The act or state of being rescued, preserved, or delivered. It underscores that ultimate victory, whether physical or spiritual, is entirely a divine prerogative and not a human achievement.
bərākâ · Hebrew Noun
The bestowal of divine favor, prosperity, and spiritual well-being upon God's people. It is the manifestation of God’s grace and His desire for the flourishing of those in covenant relationship with Him.
selâ · Hebrew Noun/Interjection
A liturgical term likely meaning "to lift up" or "exalt." It is commonly understood as a musical or meditative instruction to pause and reflect on the preceding words.
Psalm 3 vividly captures the experience of a leader facing a devastating internal revolt, highlighting how faith in God can provide profound peace and courage even when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable human opposition.
c. 980 BC— this verse
Absalom's Rebellion Begins
Absalom, David's son, launches a rebellion, gaining popular support and forcing David to flee Jerusalem. This event created a severe crisis for David's kingship and personal safety.
c. 980 BC
Ahithophel's Counsel
Ahithophel, a trusted advisor to David, defects to Absalom and advises him to pursue David immediately. This counsel represented a significant military threat and a profound betrayal.
c. 980 BC
David Flees Jerusalem
David, with a small group of loyal followers, abandons Jerusalem to escape Absalom's forces. This marked the beginning of his exile and vulnerability.
c. 980 BC
David's Prayer and Trust
During his flight, David composes Psalm 3, expressing his distress but also his unwavering trust in God's protection amidst overwhelming opposition.
This passage echoes Psalm 3:6, emphasizing that even when a vast army encamps against the believer, the heart remains undaunted because of trust in the Lord.
1 Samuel 17:45-47David's confrontation with Goliath showcases a similar defiance against overwhelming odds, attributing his victory not to his own strength but to the power of the Lord.
2 Samuel 17:1-3This passage describes Ahithophel's counsel to Absalom during his rebellion against David, highlighting the very real threat of a massive military force set against David, which Psalm 3:6 directly addresses.
Isaiah 41:10This prophetic word provides a divine promise of strength and help, directly countering the fear of overwhelming opposition that David expresses his refusal to feel in Psalm 3:6.
Romans 8:31Paul's rhetorical question about who can be against us, given God's favor, mirrors the confident declaration in Psalm 3:6 that no amount of opposition can ultimately defeat one who has God on their side.
calvinPsalms 3:5-6: "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me."
- I laid me down and slept, I awaked; for the lord sustained me. 6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, who have set their camps against me on all sides.
According to the usage of the Hebrews, these words, which are in the past tense, I laid me down and slept, are taken sometimes for the future, I will lie down and sleep. [44] If we retain the reading of the verb in the past tense, David expresses a wo…
cambridgePsalms 3:6: "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about."
6 . Cp. Psalm 27:3 . Numbers were on the side of Absalom, and but for the divinely sent infatuation which made him reject Ahithophel’s clever advice, in all probability David’s handful of followers would have been overwhelmed without effort ( 2 Samuel 17:1 ff.). set themselves against me ] A private individual could hardly speak thus; and we are reminded of Ahithophel’s counsel to str…
This verse doesn't just state David's lack of fear; it reveals the reason he can stand against "myriads." His confidence isn't in his own strength but in the overwhelming reality that God's power and salvation are infinitely greater than any human force arrayed against him.
This psalm is David's prayer during Absalom's rebellion, where he had to flee his own son and many Israelites who had turned against him. After a night of distress and prayer, David found a profound peace, believing the Lord sustained him. This verse follows his description of sleeping soundly amidst extreme danger, expressing newfound courage and trust in God's protection against overwhelming odds.
This psalm is David's prayer during Absalom's rebellion, where he had to flee his own son and many Israelites who had turned against him. After a night of distress and prayer, David found a profound peace, believing the Lord sustained him. This verse follows his description of sleeping soundly amidst extreme danger, expressing newfound courage and trust in God's protection against overwhelming odds.
"I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Sa…" — This verse doesn't just state David's lack of fear; it reveals the reason he can stand against "myriads." His confidence isn't in his own strength but in the overwhelming reality that God's power a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
