Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

PSALMS 3:7KJV
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Psalms 3:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 3:7 mean?

Psalms 3:7 is a prayer where David calls out to God for help, asking God to rise up and save him from his enemies. David describes God as already having struck his enemies and broken the power of the wicked, using vivid images of hitting their cheek and breaking their teeth.

David is speaking directly to God during a time of personal crisis, likely when he was fleeing from his son Absalom. The verse uses strong language to picture God’s protection as forceful and decisive, showing David’s trust that God can defeat those who threaten him. The broken teeth image suggests God has taken away the ability of the wicked to harm David any further.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 3:7

  • "Arise" (קוּם, qum): This word is often used as a call for God to take action, as if asking God to stand up and intervene directly in the situation.
  • "Smitten" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means to strike or hit, and here it emphasizes the idea of God actively confronting David’s enemies.
  • "Broken" (שָׁבַר, shabar): This word means to break or shatter, and in this verse, it is used to describe the destruction of the enemies’ teeth, symbolizing the removal of their power to do harm.
  • "Teeth" (שֵׁן, shen): In ancient poetry, breaking teeth was a way to picture making someone powerless, especially enemies who are like wild animals.

Why Psalms 3:7 matters

  • Psalms 3:7 clears up that David is not just asking for rescue, but is confident that God has already acted powerfully against his enemies.
  • The verse highlights the personal and urgent nature of David’s prayer, showing his reliance on God rather than his own strength.
  • This verse connects to the whole psalm’s theme of trust in God during overwhelming trouble, and it uses bold imagery to express faith in God’s ability to protect and deliver.

Where else these words appear

“bone” Hebrew H3895 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:3 And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
  • Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

“teeth” Hebrew H8127 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
  • Job 16:9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

“broken” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
  • Jeremiah 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: