Psalm 3

There are only two versions of Psalm 3  in Watts' collection of paraphrases, set to common and long meters. The common meter version uses the imagery from Genesis 3:15 in which the promise is given that, one day, the Lord's Anointed One will crush the serpent's head.

The lying tempter would persuade

There's no relief in heaven;

And all my swelling sins appear

Too big to be forgiven. 

But Thou, my glory and my strength,

Shalt on the tempter tread,

Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,

And raise my drooping head. 

The prophecy contained in Genesis 3:15 is understood to refer to the Messiah. Christ will crush the serpent's head. Even though it strikes Him in response (a reference to Calvary), He shall be victorious. Though he may tempt God's chosen One with all the kingdoms of this world, Satan shall not succeed.

The psalmist calls out to God, just as Christ cried out  from the cross. Watts understands the suffering expressed through the lens of the cross and finds, in God, our defense against both Satan and sin. Sections set in parentheses relate more closely to the experience of Jesus. Strictly speaking these sections are interpretations of the psalm, not paraphrases, but they help us to bring New Testament truth to Old Testament experience. Suffering is set in the context of the victory of Christ.

Arise, O Lord, fulfill Thy grace,

While I Thy glory sing;

My God has broke the serpent's teeth,

And death has lost its sting.

Salvation to the Lord belongs;

His arm alone can save;

Blessings attend Thy people here,

And reach beyond the grave.

The long meter version, which also merits our attention, concentrates on the first five verses of Psalm 3. It is set as a morning song. The psalmist remembers how the last thing he did, before sleep, was to pray, and to commend himself into the care and keeping of the Almighty. Though "daily discomposed" by his foes, he "slept secure", knowing that in life or in death he belonged to God. Safe in the assurance of eternal life and in the presence of God, his defense and his hope, he "laid me down." The last stanza is a joy:

But God sustain'd me all the night;

Salvation doth to God belong;

He rais'd my head to see the light,

And makes His praise my morning song.