Sermon Tone Analysis

March 5, 2012

By John Barnett

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As we open to Psalm 3 we can note some details that set this Psalm apart as a very special Psalm to learn from:

• First, this is the first of the Psalms, called a Psalm, note the superscript says: A Psalm, and no other Psalm before this one says that.

• Secondly, this is the first Psalm attributed to David in the Psalter, note it says: A Psalm of David.

There are 72 others after this one ascribed to David, but this is the first.

• Third, this is the first time we see the term Selah used in a Psalm.

After three occurrences in Psalm 3, Selah shows up 68 more times in 38 other Psalms.

This term is a pause for emphasis and reflection upon what has just been stated.

• And finally, this is the first inspired setting to any Psalm.

Note the rest of the title to Psalm 3 that says: “A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son”.

Here we find a message from God to each of us on how to deal with fear.

David flees for his life, pursed by his own son.

What a fearful and sad time in life.

What a rich time to learn from the God who is able to help us in time of need.

The Biblical setting for this Psalm is II Samuel 15:30-32, if you want to cross reference your Bible so that you always remember this lesson, note that reference by this Psalm or check and see if your Bible has a marginal note citing II Samuel 15.

Now turn to that setting in II Samuel 15:30-32 with me.

30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot.

And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. 31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”

And David said, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

Remember how we got to Psalm 3, and II Samuel 15.

We are examining the consequences to David’s sin with Bathsheba.

This event is one, there were many.

• David finds out that after 5 years of relative calm that under the surface trouble has been brewing.

Amnon’s raping his half-sister Tamar led her full-brother Absalom to murderously plot against, and then kill Amnon, David’s oldest son.

(That is a summary of II Samuel 13).

• Absalom flees to his mother’s hometown on the Sea of Galilee, hides out and stays away a total of 5 years and then is allowed to come home to Jerusalem where he deceitfully appears caring about others, and steals the hearts of Israel by being the King that people can approach and can pour out upon him, their troubles.

(That is a summary of II Samuel 14).

• Then Absalom moves, striking out in treason as a usurper to David’s Throne and gets key allies to go with him.

David flees Jerusalem for his life, and that is where we find him now walking barefooted and weeping as he walks.

(That is a summary of II Samuel 15).

Psalm 3 is actually part of a pair of Psalms that are so full of life applications for us today.

Even though David is fully restored in his relationship with God, David still has to learn about facing, and dealing with the pain and fears that come with personal attacks and verbal abuse.

These lessons are captured by God for us in the words of* Psalms 3 and 63.*

• *Psalm 3 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

This is our focus in this lesson.*

• *Psalm 63 A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.*

Because v. 11 calls David “king” which means that he is most likely running from Absalom, as the events in II Samuel 15-19 describe.

Now, back to the Psalm 3, where David is on the run for his life.

Before we read this Psalm, feel the emotions of this moment in David’s life.

Absalom is seeking to kill him.

After making it out of Jerusalem and into a defensible position, David is allowed to rest.

God is teaching David and us to this day, that we can:

*WORSHIP GOD—EVEN THROUGH TEARS*

Imagine with me the men surrounding David that was described earlier in the account of II Samuel 15.

What was Joab, the commander-in-chief of all David’s armies, doing during this time?

Joab was undoubtedly working feverishly in his preparation to protect David.

Guards were posted, and troops were stationed.

Concentric rings of defenses were planned and prepared so that the 600 seasoned soldiers who marched out with David were arrayed to face any army or enemy that might attack on this very vulnerable night.

Joab, worried that a frontal assault by Absalom’s army could overwhelm his perimeter, was tense as he came back to camp.

He considered taking David deeper into the wilderness, or finding some other spot.

With his head spinning with all these thoughts, he greeted David.

But as we’ll see instead of being rattled or despondent:

*David was Experiencing God*

For the first time in hours Joab got to see David all alone and sensed something was completely different about him.

Gone were the red, swollen eyes of the morning.

Back were the clear, bright eyes he remembered from so many years of fighting alongside this giant of a man.

Instead of anger, self-pity, or fear: David was calm, peaceful, and actually joyous as he began to tell Joab what the Lord had done in his heart.

Incredulous Joab smiled, shook his head, and hurried off to check the defensive positions one more time.

When Joab returned, he was struck with an even more amazing sight.

David was kneeling on the ground in front of a rock, an animal skin unrolled on top of the rock in front of him, and with pen and ink in hand he was busily writing—just like Joab remembered from those days in the Cave of Adullam.

Those cave times were over a dozen years earlier when David wrote Psalms 57 and 142; and just like then, Joab remembered David’s peace in those days of fleeing from King Saul when David wrote Psalms 17, 54, 35-36, 53, 16, and 39.

And now his King was at it again!

Once finished, David held up the scroll to the fading light of the evening sky.

He read it over, quietly sang the words to a tune he’d just made up, rolled it up, tied a cord about it, and tucked it into his cloak.

David had just written another song, and it was Psalm 3.

And then he turned, unrolled his sleeping bag, laid down, and was soon sound asleep.

In the very presence of his enemies, in the middle of the camp that could be over run at any moment—David slept.

And Joab marveled again at this man after God’s own heart.

Where we decide to turn in our most desperate moments, and how we face what we never wanted or dreamed of happening, reveals what is really on the inside of us.

And what came out of David at this excruciating time was a song that was so good God forever recorded it in heaven.

Because it pleased the Lord, this song was better than any of today’s “top of the charts,” “top of the billboard,” or even a “gold” or “platinum.”

Here is the exact record of the worship flowing from David that day.

Follow along as I read:

*Psalm 3*

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!

Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me,

“There is no help for him in God.” Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill.

Selah

5 I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD;

Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.

Your blessing is upon Your people.

Selah

The setting of this Psalm is part of God’s Word.

The line about fleeing from Absalom was written down to emphasize that this is a lesson we all need to learn: