Psalms 3:2 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Most probably David referred to the curses of Shimei in what he here saith. See 2 Samuel 16:8. But still yet more striking are these words if considered, as referring to the persecutions of the Lord Jesus. Indeed our adored Lord might well be supposed to speak of the increase of them that troubled him, and which arose up against him. And never surely were taunts so cruelly thrown out as those upon Jesus while hanging on the cross, when they cried out: 'he trusted in God let him deliver him now if he will have him.' Matthew 27:43. Reader! of all soul distresses that certainly is the greatest, when the enemy and our own unbelieving hearts would tempt us to suppose God hath forsaken us. Here the child of God is sadly put to it, when the enemies of our salvation thus reproach. Oh! Lord, suffer not my soul to fall under this heaviest of all sorrows. While Jesus looks on my affliction, and speaks peace, all is well. Let Jesus but smile, I care not who frowns. But if I begin to despond of his favor; if it could be so, that there was really no help for me in my God, then I should be ruined indeed. I detain the Reader one moment longer on this verse, to take notice of the little word that is placed at the end of it, Selah. And as the same word is found very many times in the book of the Psalms, I would here, once for all, offer a short observation upon it. Various have been the opinions of the learned concerning the precise meaning of it. But the most general sentiment determines it to be a note of observation: that where the word Selah occurs, it means, take particular notice of what is said before it. Now supposing this to be the case, how very appropriate are both those verses, if considered as referring to Jesus. Such a thought is sweet, in eyeing Christ in his unequalled troubles? And such a thought in beholding Jesus as our example, for our lesser troubles, is blessed also. It is as much as to say, did the ungodly taunt Jesus himself with being without help in his God; well then may they be supposed to say so concerning his household!