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Psalms

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Psalm 3

1 A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me. 2 Many say about me, “God will not deliver him.” (Selah) 3 But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. 4 To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah) 5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. 6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked.⁠ 8 The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah)

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 3:7 and Psalm 58:6

Hebrew Bible

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Summary

Psalm 3 asks God to strike enemies on the jaw and break the teeth of the unrighteous. Psalm 58 similarly asks that the teeth of the unrighteous be shattered, suggesting that both psalms draw from common ancient Near Eastern traditions.

Passages

Psalm 3:7

Hebrew Bible
5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. 6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked. 8 The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah)
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

Psalm 58:6

Hebrew Bible
4 Their venom is like that of a snake, like a deaf serpent that does not hear, 5 that does not respond to the magicians, or to a skilled snake charmer. 6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths! Smash the jawbones of the lions, O Lord. 7 Let them disappear like water that flows away. Let them wither like grass. 8 Let them be like a snail that melts away as it moves along. Let them be like stillborn babies that never see the sun.
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

References

"... Protection metaphors are as diverse as the many threat metaphors to which they respond. Protection from a fatal slip might come in the form of a helping hand from the Lord (Psalm 145:14), from his strong right hand (Psalm 18:35-36) or even from his hesed (“steadfast love” [Psalm 94:18]). This might also be accompanied by better trail maintenance (Psalm 18:35-36). The fear of disappearance into the depths or into the pit of Sheol provokes the cry “Do not let the depths engulf me, do not let the pit swallow me” (Psalm 69:14-15), although, ironically, Job seeks temporary asylum in Sheol (Job 14:13). If the lion, feral dog or wild ox—or people who are equally rapacious—threaten the psalmist’s soul, then the protector breaks jaw, fang, claw and horn (Job 29:17; Psalms 3:7; 22:21; 58:6; 75:10; 124:6) ..."
Tremper Longman and Peter Enns, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (Inter-Varsity, 2008), 528.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Psalm 3:7 and Psalm 58:6

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