Cry to the Lord

Introduction

This morning we are continuing our study in the book of Psalms.

Have you ever had a day, or maybe a week, or even a month were EVERYTHING goes wrong? That’s why I showed the video at the beginning of church—because we often feel like NOTHING is going right.

I think that is exactly how David must have felt when he wrote the psalm we are looking at today.

Now to really understand this Psalm, we need a little bit of historical background.

Background

Absalom, the son of king David was rejected by David because he killed his brother, Amnon, for raping his sister Tamar.

Absalom was banished from his father, David.

When he was able to come back and live in Jerusalem, Absalom began to sit out by the road and tell the people how he would be a righteous judge if he was made a judge over them.

In doing this, Absalom began to endear himself to the people.

When we come to 2 Samuel 15, he insights a coup on David and his kingdom.

So David had to fee for his life.

David leaves Jerusalem

He takes most of his family.

He takes most of his officials.

It is during this time period that Psalm 3, our Psalm for today, is written by King David.

So if you have your Bibles, I want to challenge you to turn with me to Psalm 3 and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

Now the first thing you’ll notice is that there is an introduction to this psalm.

It says:

“A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.”

In the Hebrew “Bible” this is actually verse 1. And it is an important phrase because it explains so much about what is going on in the king’s life.

David’s Cry to Yahweh

From the title line “A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom” we know who the foe is.

Psalm 3:1 NIV

Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

David begins by letting Yahweh know that he is overwhelmed by sheer number of foes that are against him.

As I said a minute ago, Absalom and his armies had chased David out of the palace and into the wilderness (cf. 2 Sam. 15). David and his officials were fleeing for their lives (2 Sam. 15:15) (v. 1a).

David pleads to know from Yahweh how many people are actually against him. It must have felt like everyone in Israel was against him (v. 1b).

Psalm 3:2 NIV

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”

David is hearing what the people are saying about him (v. 2).

Specifically, people are saying that this time, God will NOT rescue David.

Psalm 3:3 NIV

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

David’s Trust in Yahweh

David declares that Yahweh is his shield—the Hebrew word can mean: shield, protection, refuge, ruler, defense, or scales—that surrounds David to protect him from his enemies (v. 3a).

God is also David’s glory. God being David’s glory reflects the honor David felt in serving the eternal God. As such, David is acknowledging the fact that God was the actual ruler over the Davidic kingdom (v. 3b).

Finally, David acknowledges that Yahweh is the One who will ultimately restore David back to power. The idea of lift my head high is a reference to God’s restoration of David’s dignity, honor, and ultimately his position (v. 3c).

David’s Experience with God

Psalm 3:4 NIV

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

David then acknowledges that when he cries out to Yahweh, God hears him, and answers him from Zion (God’s holy mountain) (v. 4).

Psalm 3:5 NIV

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

Not only that, but David acknowledges that Yahweh is the one who sustains him! (v. 5).

— God helps him lie down and sleep

— God wakes him up

— Ultimately, God sustains David.

The Result

Psalm 3:6 NIV

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

David will not fear no matter how many attack him on every side (v. 6).

Plea for Action

Psalm 3:7 NIV

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

David pleas for God to deliver him (v. 7).

— Strike all my enemies on the jaw

— Break the teeth of the wicked

David is confident that Yahweh will deliver him. This fact it reflected in the very next verse.

Psalm 3:8 NIV

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

Deliverance comes from Yahweh (v. 8a).

David pleads for God to bless His people! (v. 8b).

Conclusion

There is no question that life is going to throw things at us that we are not prepared for.

Things with our families.

Physical problems.

Job or school strife.

Disappointments of all kinds!

As James 1 reminds us, each of us will will face trials of many kinds. And when we do we need to follow the pattern that David gave us in Psalm 3:

We need to cry out to the Lord—He is concerned and cares about our struggles. Look at 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

When we cry out to the Lord we need to trust that He knows our needs and cares about our situation. We will do good to remember the first part of Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. . .”

We need to remember all that God has done in the past, because He can and will do it again!

Remember all that God has done should give us hope and allow us to say what David said in verse 6 of our passage, Psalm 3:6 “I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.”

And yes, it is okay to call on the Lord to take action against our enemies so that we can experience His power and strength!

And finally, we need to always remember that our deliverance does not come from any source other than from our God!

Realizing this and understand this will allow us to truly experience God’s wonderful blessings!