From Lament to Praise

The book of Psalms is divided into 5 sub-books with Book One containing Psalms 1-41. This first book is primarily written by David and is largely based on his experiences and struggles.

As we saw previously, the first two chapters serve as an introduction to all of Psalms giving us a picture of the difference between the blessed and the wicked and the sovereignty of God’s anointed (whether it be the Davidic kings or the ultimate king in the line of David, Jesus Christ)

In chapters 3 to 7 we have a series of Psalms that follow a similar pattern.

Each begins with the statement of a problem the Psalmist is dealing with.

The Psalmist then pours out his heart to God, sometimes seeming inappropriate in his thoughts about the problem and even about God

After wrestling honestly with God and his feelings, he comes back to an immovable confidence in God, even if the problem is not yet resolved.

This is the kind of openness and honest struggle that God encourages us to engage in even today.

The Psalmist concludes this section with Psalm 8 in which he describes the majesty of the God that invites our openness with Him.

We are going to look primarily at Psalm 3 & 8 with references to other Psalms in this section.

The Lament of David - Psalm 3

David’s Problem - The uprising of Absalom - Psalm 3:1-2

Psalm 3:1–2 NIV

Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”

David’s conflict with Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18)

David had sinned against God and God promised that his own family would turn against him.

Absalom, his son, began to campaign against David to win the hearts of the people.

Absalom arranged to be appointed as king in Hebron as part of a coup against David.

David was forced to flee for his life.

David sought refuge and prayed to God at the Mount of Olives, near where centuries later Jesus would pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Absalom pursued David with thousands of soldiers, forcing him to flee across the Jordan.

Eventually, David’s men were forced to fight the armies of Absalom and David’s men killed 20,000 of Absalom’s men.

Absalom’s hair got caught in an oak tree and Joab, one of David’s generals, killed him.

Upon hearing the news, David mourned the death of his son.

This is the setting for this Psalm

Psalm 4:1–2 NIV

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Psalm 6:2–4 NIV

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 7:1–5 NIV

Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands— if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe— then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

David’s Struggle with God - Psalm 3:3-7

David acknowledges God’s protection - Psalm 3:3

Psalm 3:3 NIV

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Psalm 5:4–6 NIV

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.

David is reminded that God always listens - Psalm 3:4

Psalm 3:4 NIV

I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

Psalm 4:3 NIV

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Psalm 5:3 NIV

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

David recognizes that God gives peace in the most dire circumstances - Psalm 3:5

Psalm 3:5 NIV

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 4:4 NIV

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

David bravely faces his fear - Psalm 3:6

Psalm 3:6 NIV

I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

David makes a request of God - Psalm 3:7

Psalm 3:7 NIV

Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalm 4:6–8 NIV

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5:10 NIV

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

Psalm 6:10 NIV

All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 7:6–9 NIV

Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high. Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

David concludes with complete confidence in God - Psalm 3:8

Psalm 3:8 NIV

From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 5:11–12 NIV

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 7:10 NIV

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

Psalm 7:17 NIV

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

What kind of a God could inspire this kind of confidence and faith in life’s most difficult times?

God is a Majestic God - Psalm 8

Our God is Sovereign - Psalm 8:1

Psalm 8:1 NIV

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.

There are two terms used for Lord in this verse

The first (in small caps) is Yahweh - The self-existent God

The second (in upper/lower case) is Adonah - My master or Lord - This is much more personal.

It is the equivalent to saying “God My Master”

His glory is above the heavens

God uses the weak to defeat the strong - Psalm 8:2

Psalm 8:2 NIV

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Paul also recognized this principle - 1 Corinthians 1:27

1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

David recognized our important place in God’s creation - Psalm 8:3-8

Psalm 8:3–8 NIV

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

On the one hand man is almost insignificant in comparison to the vastness of God’s creation

But God has a special interest in mankind as the objects of His love

David concludes where he began - Psalm 8:9

Psalm 8:9 NIV

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

This is the God who inspires our confidence, invites our honest openness with Him, hears our prayers