Tehillim 3 | “When He Fled from His Son Avshalom”

This is the first psalm that opens with a title. These introductory titles can offer insight into the content of the psalm, its musical style, its author, or the historical context in which it was written. The title of this psalm recalls a specific historical moment recorded in the Book of Shmuel (Chapter 15) – David’s flight from his son Avshalom. In the Book of Shmuel, we are told the story of what happened. But in the Book of Tehillim, we are given a glimpse into King David’s personal diary, and to his inner world during the moment of crisis. What we find is a remarkable portrait of a man who, in the face of all those who mock him, places his trust in God, entrusts his fate to God, and sleeps peacefully through the night.