Psalm 3
Pastor Mark Hudson
Psalms 3 is one of the 14 Psalms that refer to an actual incident in David’s life. The other Psalms are 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63, 142. These introductions are included in the Hebrew Bible’s numbering. So, for us, verse 1 begins with, “O Lord, how many . . . .” but in the Hebrew Bible verse one begins with “A Psalm of David . . . .” Many consider those verses of introduction as part of the inspired Bible not a mere introduction.
This Psalms’ historical episode is recounted in 2 Samuel 15:13ff. Absalom, David’s son, attempt to usurp David from the throne. Absalom is estranged from King David because Absalom killed his half-brother Amnon, who raped Absalom’s sister Tamar. Tamar is called Absalom’s sister because David had so many children by so many different women that most of his children defined their “family” by who their mother was. This was a way to differentiate one group of children from another group. Can you imagine how awful that must have been?
So, Absalom made an all-out effort to enthrone himself in place of his father. This would not be done without violence, betrayal, and relationships forever changed. David was in serious trouble. He feared for his life and all those around him. He did not take a few days off; he ran for his life wondering if his life would end that day or the next.
Look at verse 1 – how many are my foes, and they are increasing (rising). Plus, this is personal. “My foes; against me” (v. 1) he writes. They are against David and he knows it. People are talking about David as if David’s days are numbered. This is not merely a poetic psalm but a real-life event that David endured.
When one is under pressure, the real you comes out. For most of us, if we are under pressure, the bad stuff comes out. For David, in this instance, he looks to God. “But you” in verse 3 is not a throw away phrase. Yes, there are many who are standing together in opposition to David, and many are looking forward to a new King. David is so `last week’ many are saying. They are saying that David is old and Absalom is new. Out with the old; in with the new. But for David, he keeps looking to God. It sure doesn’t seem like God is helping him right now. Many would look for help somewhere else. ‘But God’ is what David says because David looks to God for help.
You, O Lord, are a shield about me. Some might say that God is not a very good shield. But for David, God is his glory, the one he boasts about and the (only) one who can lift up his head. This is significant because in 2 Sam 15:30, David left Jerusalem, “weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered.” God, and only God, could lift up David’s head.
David knew that when the righteous pray, God not only listens but “He answers me from His holy hill.” That is why David could lay down and sleep. On one hand, his son is rising up against him and there will be death for some of those involved. On the other hand, because David trusts God, David can go to sleep. That demonstrates a deep trust in God. It is easy to say you trust God. It is another to demonstrate that you trust in God by a deep, settled confidence in God. Sleeping soundly in David’s case reveals that trust that both pleases God and calms a believer’s heart. So, David can say, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”
But David is not done. In verse 7, David pleads for God to “Arise and save Me.” God is not simply a God who protects His people. David is not just asking but describing who God is and what He does. “For You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.” This flies in the face of `love the sinner; hate the sin.’ God “abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Ps. 5:6). In Psalm 7:11, “God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.” He is angry at those who sin against Him.
As every believer in the coming Messiah (during the Old Testament) or a believer who looks in the past for the Messiah (all Christians) knows, salvation does not come from us. Salvation belongs to the Lord! He alone can forgive our sins. David looked ahead in hope. We know that Christ bore our sins and we can heartily agree with David’s sentiments.
David (or possibly a later editor) concludes with a prayer for blessings on God’s people. The Psalms starts with a possible life-ending calamity but ends with the Psalmists rejoicing and trusting in God.
Dear Lord, in some ways we will never experience what the Psalmist did but Christians all over the world regularly face persecution. We pray for them and pray for their protection and spiritual growth. Remind us to look to You when we face trouble. You not only protect; You take vengeance on Your enemies. We rest in You. In Christ’s name, Amen.