Psalm 03

Turn to Psalm 3. When you get there I want you to notice a couple of things. First, this is the first time we find the word psalm. Like the Greek word from which we get our word “psalm,” the Hebrew word for psalm also means “to pluck strings.” So a psalm is a song that is sung to an instrument with strings. Second, this is the first psalm in which we’re told who wrote it. As I mentioned last week, while Psalm 2 doesn’t tell us who wrote, in Acts 4:26 the psalm is attributed to David. Did they know something we don’t? Was it an educated guess or did they did assign psalms to David if they didn’t specifically say who wrote them? We don’t know. But we are told that David wrote Psalm three.

Something else I haven’t mentioned yet, the psalms are divided into five sections or books.

Book 1: Psalms 1-41

Book 2: Psalms 42-72

Book 3: Psalms 73-89

Book 4: Psalms 90-106

Book 5: Psalms 107-150

In the first book, all but three are attributed to David. In all, David is specifically mentioned as writing seventy-three of the psalms and two more (Psalms 2 and 95 are attributed to David in the New Testament.

Additionally, Psalm 3 tells us when David wrote the psalm: When he fled from his son Absalom.

For each psalm I’ve mentioned the type of psalm it is. This psalm is one of lament. That makes sense when you consider the circumstances. The story is found in 2 Samuel 15-18. David’s son Absalom had one of his half-brothers killed and is banished from the capital city. When some time passes, Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem, but David refuses to see him. Eventually, Absalom led a revolt against his father and David has to flee Jerusalem with as many of his family and staff as possible. So David crossed the Jordan River and ran while he devised a plan for stopping Absalom.

When I was introducing Psalms I mentioned one of the good things about the psalms is they cover almost every emotion we have. But what’s even better is they always focus on God. So David is going through a difficult time, but he never loses his faith in God. We can see this in an outline one commentator wrote for this Psalm:

Conflict: He admits his troubles (vs. 1-2)

Confidence: He affirms his trust in God (vs. 3-4)

Celebration: He anticipates victory (vs. 5-8)

As I’ve mentioned many times before, we all have problems, what’s important is how we face them. It’s our attitude in the midst of suffering. And what we see about David is that he always responds to God in trust and never out of anger, bitterness. Or blame. He always trusted God. David admits his problems, turns to God for help, and then rejoices in the help he knows will come. It hasn’t come yet, but he trusts God to provide it.

Another quick note before we get into the psalm. Twice in this psalm, and lots more in rest of the psalms, we’re going to see the word “selah.” If you’ve wondered what that Hebrew word means I want to tell you that nobody knows. It may be a signal to remain quiet or it may mean to lift up your eyes or hands in worship. And then again, scholars aren’t sure that it’s not just an instruction to the musicians. You’ll see notes to the musicians at the beginning of Psalms 4 and 5.

1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! (Psalm 3:1)

This first verse gives you a good idea of how he’s doing emotionally. Something we need to remember is how much David loved Absalom. Even though Absalom was responsible for his half-brother’s death, Absalom was still David’s son and he loved him. Even though Absalom was leading a revolt against David, David loved him. That just made trying to stop him all the more difficult. If it had been anyone else David would have sent an army to stop the uprising, but how do you stop your son? David didn’t want to kill him. And when Absalom is killed David is devastated.

It was bad enough that his son whom he loved was rebelling, to make it worse; some who David thought were loyal to him joined Absalom. It is one thing when your enemy joins in an attack against you, but it’s that much worse when a turns against you. You can understand why David wasn’t feeling very good.

2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” (Psalm 3:2)

When you’re having a bad day it’s nice to have someone around who can cheer you up. That’s not what was happening for David. Instead, those who were with him were throwing more cold water on him. You can understand why though. David wasn’t the only one forced to leave home in the middle of the night, so were they. Their fearless leader was on the run. If David couldn’t protect them who would? They certainly weren’t trusting God to it. Most were even openly admitting their doubt that God could help them.

Then there were others who were making worse comments. They were saying David deserved what was happening to him. One example is found in the story.

5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” (2 Samuel 16:5-8)

I wonder how he really felt about his king. Shimei was saying God had turned against David and was punishing him. Was it true? Was God punishing David? It certainly appears that way. Here’s the prophecy given to David after his sin with Bathsheba:

11 This is what the Lord says: “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.” (2 Samuel 12:11-12)

David received God’s forgiveness, but there were still consequences for his sin. David was allowed to reap what he’d sown. It certainly appeared like God was against him.

What can you do when the only one who can help you turns against you? Commenting on this verse Charles Spurgeon wrote:

If all the trials which come from heaven, all the temptations which ascend from hell, and all the crosses which arise from the earth, could be mixed and pressed together, they would not make a trial so terrible as that which is contained in this verse. It is the most bitter of all afflictions to be led to dear that there is no help for us in God. (C.H. Spurgeon)

For someone to say there’s no hope and that even God is against you is devastating. But in the next verse we see one of the reasons God called David a man after his own heart. David refused to listen to the naysayers.

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)

David knew he was in danger, but he also knew where his help came from. God was his shield. While those around him were trying to knock him down, God would lift him up. David’s faith was in the promises God had made to him. He knew God would never forsake him.

It’s easy when things are going wrong to get discouraged and look down. We take our eyes off of God, focusing on ourselves and our problems instead of God. David says it is God who will lift his head so that he isn’t consumed by his difficulties. The psalms help remind us of this important truth. SO what do we need to do? David shows us in the next verse.

4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)

We are pretty good at crying when we’re having problems. We’re pretty good at crying out to others. But are we good at crying out to God? David cried out to the Lord. That’s how he was able to have his head lifted and see things from God’s perspective. God has promised to hear and to answer. We need to remember this promise. But we also need to understand the condition: we are to turn to God crying out to him. What is the result?

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (Psalm 3:5)

Proof of the peace that God gave David was his ability to sleep. We’ve all had nights when our minds were consumed with a problem we were facing and wouldn’t allow us to sleep. We just couldn’t find any peace.

Don’t we all want to experience the peace of God? When battling the storms of life don’t we all want a peace that passes understanding? Where does it come from? Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

David found peace from God that allowed him to sleep which renewed his strength.

6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. (Psalm 3:6)

This doesn’t mean David won’t have any fears, but that he wouldn’t give into those fears. There will be times when we fear, but giving into fear is inviting the enemy into our lives. Remember what Franklin D. Roosevelt said about fear, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Fear can be just as big an enemy and the enemy.

So many people don’t know how to deal with fear. The Bible says that God does not give us a spirit of fear. So where do you think fear comes from? If it doesn’t come from God then it comes from our flesh or it comes from the devil. Therefore, we need to deal with it head on. Really, fear is a lack of trust in God. Therefore, when we give into sin we need to confess that lack of trust. Then ask God to give you strength to trust him more.

David conquered his fear through his trust in God. He knew God heard his prayers and he knew God was with him. He would not give into the temptation of fear.

7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. (Psalm 3:7)

Have you ever felt that way about someone? Jesus tells us to turn our other cheek.

38 You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:38-39)

What’s the difference? The biggest difference is the Old Testament often provides physical and external pictures of the internal and external principles pictured in the New Testament. While David waged war physically, we are more often waging war spiritually. More often than not, our enemies aren’t a person. Our enemy is spiritual. Sometimes it’s our sinful flesh. That’s why Paul says we don’t wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

Therefore, if we’re fighting against flesh and blood, we’re fighting the wrong battle. We must wage war not against people but against Satan and our own sinful nature.

8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. (Psalm 3:8)

With the Lord going into battle, and the outcome secure, David now expresses his confidence. David had plenty of good soldiers with him protecting him and fighting for him, but it was God he trusted for his deliverance. And David speaks of it as a sure thing. As far as David was concerned it was already taken care of because God was handling it.

Isn’t that the way we should act as well? We pray to God because we believe he will hear and answer, then we need to act on that faith.

It is God who delivers the godly from their enemies and brings victory. However, God’s action is not only negative, in removing enemies; it is also positive, in giving blessing. Blessing comes from God’s bringing happiness and prosperity to his people.

Summarizing the movement of Psalm 3, we see the crisis of adversaries; the cry to the Lord; and the confidence that God hears, God answers, God fights the battle, God defeats our enemies, and God blesses His people. As we have already noted, David probably composed this psalm on the day of battle. This word of God to us is important because we too have our battles against Satan and all his minions. David shows us here who fights these battles for us, and how we are to fight. It is in prayer that we conquer when fear is met with faith. There is a moment when we break through to assurance and we know that God has heard. Then we are ready to command his deliverance and victory, confident that we are praying in his will. God’s salvation and blessing become not just ours, but his gift to all who walk with him.

One last lesson we can learn from David is it doesn’t appear like he always felt what he was saying at the time. When he said, “I will not be afraid,” he may have felt a little fear. When he says, “I will trust in the Lord,” he may have been feeling a little doubt. But David made those statements of faith anyway. It’s not that he didn’t believe God’s promises. He made these statements of faith because he knew God’s ability to help him wasn’t dependant on his feelings. But he also said them because he wanted his mind to lead his emotions and not have his emotions lead his mind. Too often people allow themselves to be controlled by their emotions rather than what they know to be true. We know we can always trust in God, whether or not our emotions tell us we can.