Psalms 3:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Arise, O Lord, &c.— David having related in the former verses the state of his mind during his flight, in the following he expresses his thankfulness to God for his deliverance, which he ascribes entirely to his power and goodness; and, conscious that his future safety must depend on his favour, he suddenly cries out, Arise, O Jehovah, and save me, O my God! and then, instantly recollecting the salvation that God had wrought for him, he starts into the thankful acknowledgment of it. Verily, thou hast smitten all mine enemies. They who know what the pleasures of devotion are, cannot be unacquainted with these sudden transitions of the mind from one object to another, and the various affections which are excited, as the different thoughts of the heart awaken and enliven them. David in this verse compares his enemies to savage beasts, which tear their prey with their teeth, and grind it with their jaws. In countries abounding with these ravenous creatures, such allusions are natural and expressive. David here encourages himself in God, by the experience he had of his gracious interposition in his favour; by saving him from his cruel enemies, who frequently attempted his destruction. But God smote them on the cheek-bone, and broke their teeth; i.e. utterly deprived them of their power to hurt him; as a wild beast is disabled from devouring its prey, when its jaws are broken, and its teeth dashed out. Chandler.