The superscription of this lament psalm identifies it as written by David. In Book One (Pss. 1–41) 37 of the 41 psalms (all except 1–2; 10; 33) are ascribed to David. Psalm 3 is understood to have been written when he fled from his son Absalom (cf. 2 Sam. 15–18). This is one of the few psalm titles that ties a psalm to a specific incident in David’s life. It is a confident prayer of the king who had fled from the palace and was surrounded by enemies. All of David’s opponents were convinced that he had no hope, but God’s elect, David, found God’s safety and protection through the night and thereby had confidence in His ultimate deliverance.