Psalm 3 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 3
Trust amid surrounding enemies
Verse 3:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:1] A psalm of David, when he fled from the presence of Absalom his son.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:1] A psalm of David, when he was fleeing from the presence of Absalom his son.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both preserve the David–Absalom superscription as numbered verse one. This is source text, distinct from the editorial reading title; familiar English editions may leave it unnumbered.
Verse 3:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:2] YHWH, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise against me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:2] Lord, why have those who afflict me multiplied?
Many rise up against me.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The multiplication of attackers corresponds. Hebrew’s exclamatory how many and Greek’s interrogative why are retained.
Verse 3:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:3] Many say concerning my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.”
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:3] Many say to my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in his God.”
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek explicitly adds his to God. Soul follows both source nouns; concerning and to reflect the possible force of their dative constructions. Selah and Diapsalma retain the different performance terms without claiming their precise execution is known.
Verse 3:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:4] But You, YHWH, are a shield around me,
my glory and the One who lifts my head.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:4] But You, Lord, are my helper,
my glory and the One who lifts my head.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The shared glory and lifted head remain. Hebrew names a protective shield; Greek names a helper or supporter rather than a shield.
Verse 3:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:5] With my voice I call to YHWH,
and He answered me from His holy mountain.
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:5] With my voice I cried to the Lord,
and He heard me from His holy mountain.
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both report answered prayer from the holy mountain. Hebrew’s call-to-answer sequence and Greek’s past crying-and-hearing sequence remain; performance markers are retained.
Verse 3:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:6] I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for YHWH sustains me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:6] I lay down and slept;
I was awakened, for the Lord will help me.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Rest, waking and divine support correspond. Greek has passive awakening and future help; Hebrew has active awakening and ongoing sustaining.
Verse 3:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:7] I will not fear tens of thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:7] I will not fear tens of thousands of people
who together attack me all around.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The multitude and encirclement correspond; Greek explicitly expresses their joint assault.
Verse 3:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:8] Rise, YHWH! Save me, my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:8] Rise, Lord! Save me, my God!
For You struck all who were my enemies without cause;
You crushed sinners’ teeth.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The cry and broken teeth correspond, but Hebrew has cheek, לֶחִי; Greek ματαίως describes enmity as vain or without cause. No cheek is supplied to Greek.
Verse 3:9 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[3:9] Salvation belongs to YHWH;
Your blessing is upon Your people.
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[3:9] Salvation belongs to the Lord,
and Your blessing is upon Your people.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: The salvation and blessing clauses correspond. Hebrew ends with Selah; the accessed Greek has no final Diapsalma here.