Psalms 3
Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel
Psalms chapter 3 is given here in full, verse by verse, in Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), with the Greek text of the Septuagint set beneath each verse. The text follows the Septuagint tradition received throughout the Orthodox Church.
6 patristic excerpts are attached to this chapter, from Saint Augustine of Hippo. The translator's notes for this chapter (1) follow the text.
Psalms 3
1A Psalm of David, when he fled from the presence of his son Abessalom.Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ, ὁπότε ἀπεδίδρασκεν ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἀβεσσαλὼμ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ.
2O Lord, why are they that afflict me multiplied? many rise up against me.Κύριε τί ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ θλίβοντές με; πολλοὶ ἐπανίστανται ἐπʼ ἐμέ.
3Many say concerning my soul, There is no deliverance for him in his God. * Pause.Πολλοὶ λέγουσι τῇ ψυχῇ μου, οὐκ ἔστι σωτηρία αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ αὐτοῦ· διάψαλμα.
4But you, O Lord, are my helper: my glory, and the one that lifts up my head.Σὺ δὲ Κύριε, ἀντιλήπτωρ μου εἶ, δόξα μου, καὶ ὑψῶν τὴν κεφαλήν μου.
5I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy mountain. Pause.Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, καὶ ἐπήκουσέ μου ἐξ ὄρους ἁγίου αὐτοῦ· διάψαλμα.
6I lay down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord will help me.Ἐγὼ ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα, ἐξηγέρθην, ὅτι Κύριος ἀντιλήψεταί μου.
7I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, who beset me round about.Οὐ φοβηθήσομαι ἀπὸ μυριάδων λαοῦ, τῶν κύκλῳ ἐπιτιθεμένων μοι.
8Arise, Lord; deliver me, my God: for you have struck all who were without cause my enemies; you have broken the teeth of sinners.Ἀνάστα Κύριε, σῶσόν με ὁ Θεός μου· ὅτι σὺ ἐπάταξας πάντας τοὺς ἐχθραίνοντάς μοι ματαίως, ὀδόντας ἁμαρτωλῶν συνέτριψας.
9Deliverance is the Lord's, and your blessing is upon your people.Τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ σωτηρία, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου ἡ εὐλογία σου.
Translator's Notes
These notes come from the printed edition of Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), and record where the Greek differs from the English rendering or admits more than one reading.
- v. 2*The word Διάψαλμα (Selah) has been rendered Pause, as most intelligible to the English reader.
The Fathers on Psalms 3
Saint Augustine of Hippo comments on this chapter. Each excerpt below is drawn from the full text held in the Fathers Library; follow the link on any entry to read the whole work.
On Psalms 3:2–3Saint Augustine of Hippo2. “O Lord, how are they multiplied that trouble me!” (ver. 1). So multiplied indeed were they, that one even from the number of His disciples was not wanting, who was added to the number of His persecutors. “Many rise up against me; many say unto my soul, There is no salvation for him in his God” (ver. 2). It is clear that if they had had any idea that He would rise again, assuredly they would not have slain…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →
On Psalms 3:4Saint Augustine of Hippo3. “But Thou, O Lord, art my taker.” It is said to God in the nature of man, for the taking of man is, the Word made Flesh. “My glory.” Even He calls God his glory, whom the Word of God so took, that God became one with Him. Let the proud learn, who unwillingly hear, when it is said to them, “For what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →
On Psalms 3:5Saint Augustine of Hippo4. “With my voice have I cried unto the Lord” (ver. 4); that is, not with the voice of the body, which is drawn out with the sound of the reverberation of the air; but with the voice of the heart, which to men speaks not, but with God sounds as a cry. By this voice Susanna was heard; and with this voice the Lord Himself commanded that prayer should be made in closets, that is, in the recesses of the heart…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →
On Psalms 3:6Saint Augustine of Hippo5. “I slept, and took rest” (ver. 5). It may be not unsuitably remarked, that it is expressly said, “I,” to signify that of His own Will He underwent death, according to that, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” Therefore, saith He, you have not taken Me as though…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →
On Psalms 3:7–8Saint Augustine of Hippo6. “I will not fear the thousands of people that surround me” (ver. 6). It is written in the Gospels how great a multitude stood around Him as He was suffering, and on the cross. “Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God” (ver. 7). It is not said to God, “Arise,” as if asleep or lying down, but it is usual in holy Scripture to attribute to God what He doeth in us; not indeed universally, but where it can be done…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →
On Psalms 3:9Open Psalms 3 in the interactive reader Switch translations, hear the chapter read aloud, tap any verse for its patristic commentary, and study the Greek word by word.Saint Augustine of Hippo8. “Salvation is of the Lord; and upon Thy people be Thy blessing” (ver. 8). In one sentence the Psalmist has enjoined men what to believe, and has prayed for believers. For when it is said, “Salvation is of the Lord,” the words are addressed to men. Nor does it follow, “And upon Thy people” be “Thy blessing,” in such wise as that the whole is spoken to men, but there is a change into prayer addressed to God…
Read Expositions on the Psalms →