Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Prior to the rebellion of David's son Absalom (which David was speaking of in the psalm cited in the question), David had shown that he personally was not a vengeful man through such actions as sparing Saul on multiple earlier occasions. He had also specifically instructed his own men (in the case of Absalom) to deal gently with him, despite the fact that Absalom was seeking to overthrow David (2 Samuel 18:5). 

Also, in the passage cited in the question, David was not planning on, or speaking of, personally harming Absalom or those who were allied with him. Although he was praying for deliverance (which, I would say, was entirely proper for him to do, just as he had previously prayed for deliverance from Saul (as in Psalm 54)), he was leaving the defeat or destruction of his enemies, and the manner in which that defeat would be accomplished, in God's hands, which, in my opinion, is consistent with God saying that vengeance was His, and that He would repay (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).

In my opinion, David was also not even necessarily speaking of the death of his enemies in the passage cited in the question, but was asking God in figurative language to frustrate their plans, or to make them powerless to harm him, just as we speak metaphorically today of the removal of a threat by saying that the threat has had its teeth pulled. (And, in fact, David later mourned grievously when he was informed that Absalom had been killed (2 Samuel 18:31-19:4).)

December 20 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

The context of the Psalm is this:
Psalm 3 is believed to be written by David during a time of intense persecution, where he felt surrounded by enemies who mocked his faith and believed God would not deliver him. (Psalm 3:2)

See the big picture here? 

"OUTLINE (PSALM 3)

David asks the Lord to protect him against his enemies and finds rest and security in the Lord's care.
I. THE SCORN (Ps 3:1-2): David is beset by many enemies; many say that God will not rescue him.
II. THE SUPPLICATION Ps 3:4, 7): David prays to God and is heard.
III. THE SLEEP (Ps 3:3, 5-6, 8): Even when surrounded by 10,000 enemies, David can sleep in peace, for the Lord sustains him!"

--Harold Wilmington

The Net Bible renders Psalm 3:7 like this:

"Rise up, Lord!

Deliver me, my God!

Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw;"

"The expression break the teeth [in Psalm 3:7] may envision violent hand-to hand combat, though it is possible that the enemies are pictured here as a dangerous animal (see Job 29:17)."--classic.net.bible.org

David is confident that the Lord (Yahweh) will protect him. He expresses this in a prayer to Him. We can have the same confidence. Follow David's example for divine protection. Ask God for it. That can help us sleep peacefully! 

Appearing frequently in the Psalms, the theme is this: the psalmist expresses trust in God's protection but also pleads for divine intervention. Many psalms follow this pattern of faith combined with urgent supplication. For example:

Psalm 3:7 – "Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked."
Psalm 22:19 – "But You, O Lord, do not be far off! O You my help, come quickly to my aid!"
Psalm 35:1 – "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!"

These cries for deliverance show a deep reliance on Yahweh, acknowledging that only He can bring true salvation. The psalmist does not doubt God's power but calls upon Him to act in accordance with His covenant promises.

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