Psalm 3/Sections/Superscription

The superscription gives information about the genre ("psalm" [מִזְמוֹר]), the author ("David"), and the historical circumstances in which the psalm originated. The historical note alludes to the story of Absalom's rebellion in 2 Samuel 15:1–19:11. The following verse from the 2 Samuel story is especially relevant: "Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, 'Come! We must flee (וְנִבְרָחָה), or none of us will escape from Absalom (מִפְּנֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם). We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword'" (2 Sam 15:14, NIV).

The following story triangle summarizes the story of Absalom's rebellion according to the narrative in 2 Samuel.