Psalm 3

Introduction to Psalm 3

Let us read what it says:

Psalm 3 NKJV

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

This Psalm is one of 14 that are linked directly to an event in the life of David. And we are told in this one he wrote it when fleeing from his son Absalom who betrayed him as recorded in 2 Samuel 18. But look: Here is a lesson for us for in crisis David turns to God.

1

Whereas David literally had many people against him including his son it can feel like the whole world is against you. It can be very intense because feeling can overwhelm. We do not realise that, despite the fact we often look for good in people, we do not realise that some people are our enemies and some deliberately do evil and there are not always good reasons why they do what they do.

People become our enemies for selfish ambition, for jealousy, for simply hatred and other times there does not see to be rhyme or reason.

2

David is clearly reliant upon God to get him through this situation but others ridicule his belief thinking that there is no help to be had. When it looks that bad God is the only one who can help.

3

David declares God to be a shield of protection from the attack. David is saying I have no glory or honour except I am clothed with God’s glory and honour. It is his relationship with the Lord that gives him strength.

4

And David knew that God would hear and answer.

5

As a result we are told that David slept soundly. How many of us have troubled thoughts before we go to bed and how many times are we kept awake through worry. David makes it clear that God is His peace and knows no matter how bad the situation God is at work and in control.

6

And as a result he says: Bring it on! It doesn’t matter if quite literally the whole world is against me I still have God on my side and with Him is a majority. No matter the circumstance he trusts God.

7

Here David uses two imperatives which are like directions to God: Arise. Save! Don’t sit back God David says. Come to my rescue. And enemies you had better beware for God when He arises with wrath there is no escape.

8

Only the Lord can be trusted to bring help and deliverance and instead of trouble blessing.

Conclusion

David does not blame God for his predicament but trust God to help Him through terrible times. For him it was betrayal by his own son who wanted to kill his own father. Not sure if we have ever been in such an extreme situation - but we have been in horrid situations and it is only in God we can find strength, protection and deliverance. God is with us.