Untitled Sermon (3)

Psalm 3:1–8 ESV

1 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

Questions

V2 - Strange way to start a lament; what is the context of saying “there is no salvation”; is that the highest form of lament? ANSWERED

v7 - what is important about broken teeth? Cultural significance?

How confused must David have been? David went out of his way to protect Absalom, yet Absalom betrayed him. Absalom didn’t try to follow God’s way.

v5 - In what sense did David lie down and sleep? Was it exhaustion or confidence? Sleep is time of vulnerability - maybe waking up was vindication that God had sustained him?

Is the repeated phrase “O Lord: a cry of desperation?

In what sense “Arise, O LORD!” said? Does David think God is napping? Why the word arise?