Psalm 3

Presented, December 14, 2003

PSALM 3

LORD, HOW THEY HAVE INCREASED…

In this psalm of David, we find the first in which we are told when it was written. Understanding that background gives us insight into the actual meaning of this psalm. It is a psalm that shows David’s trust in the Lord both as he wrote and looking toward the future. Sometimes this is referred to as “the morning psalm”. Psalm 4 is sometimes called “the evening psalm” Tonight we will examine this psalm.

I. Background

A.      This is the first of many psalms to contain a title describing who wrote it and the circumstances. There is question as to the inspiration of these titles as they date beyond our earliest manuscripts. Because of this it can safely be deducted that whether they are inspired or not, they are accurate as to their contents being written by one who was obviously more familiar with their origin than we are. Some think that Ezra wrote some of them as an example.

B.       Also introduced for the first time in the psalms is the word, “Selah”. This is a word that is some sort of musical term. Some think it means “a musical pause” while others see it as a call to “lift up the strain – sing more loudly” (Spurgeon)

C.       The background of this psalm.

1.     It started with David’s sin with Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11. As Nathan condemned David his punishment included that the sword would never depart from David’s house and adversity would arise from within his own house (2 Samuel 12:10-12, “Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'11 Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.'")

2.     Chapter 13 records Abaslom murdering his half-brother Amnon for violating his sister. Absalom is banished.

3.     Chapter 14 – Absalom returns and David forgives him.

4.     Chapter 15 – Absalom then with looks and persuasion turns the people against David and he is forced to flee the city of Jerusalem for his life.

5.     It is during this time that David penned this psalm. It is a psalm of frustration as one observes life and trust in God.

II. Many Enemies Have Increased (1-2)

A.      We have many enemies.   Sometimes no matter how we try to do what is right, in this life it seems that we are losing ground to those that are evil.

1.     Christianity garners enemies. Why? Because often it exposes their darkness – consider John 3:19-21
Matthew 10:16, 21-22 - Jesus even warned His disciples that as He sent them out as sheep in the midst of wolves they would be hated by all for His name’s sake.

2.     Sometimes our enemies are those who ought to be our friends. In times like these it hurts the most.
Think also of Jesus as he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
Matthew 10:35-36 – a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.
Psalm 41:9 (“All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. "An evil disease," they say, "clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more." Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.”) speaks of another “friend” of David who lifted his heel against him – probably Ahithophel, one who deserted David and sided with Absalom, advising him (2 Sam. 16-17)

3.     Notice their victorious cry – “There is no help for him in God.”
Consider Jesus on the cross as His enemies mocked Him.

III. The Lord is My Shield (3-4)

A.      In spite of his enemies, David’s faith never wavers.

1.        He knows his true hope is in God – He is his shield – Ephesians 6:16.

2.        He can rely on past experience – God has been with him through so much, he now knows he can still trust Him. Paul had the same attitude toward the end of his life – 2 Timothy 3:10-11, 4:17

3.        Do we demonstrate the trust in God that David had? Even in adversity? Paul demonstrated that trust - 2 Timothy 1:12

B.       He turns to God in prayer

1.     Here is where David found his strength and it is where we too find strength

2.     His was a vehement prayer. Vs. 4 says he cried to the Lord with his voice. Here is one who is poor in spirit and mourns his plight before God – Matthew 5:3-4.
David was probably alone and he poured out his spirit to God whom he knew was listening.

3.     James 5:13 – is anyone among you suffering, let him pray.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – we are to cast all our cares upon him.

C.       “And He heard me.” Truly God hears and answers prayers that are offered in faith – James 1:5-6

IV. Even in sleep, the Lord sustained him (5-6)

A.         David speaks of laying down, sleeping and arising again. Have you even spent a sleepless night? Have you even been so bothered by something that you cannot sleep? What is it about sleep that calls for trust and faith? Because you are helpless. You are at the mercy of another, especially your enemies.

B.          In caves, being pursued, David was still able to sleep.

1.           Why? He wasn’t really worried. He knew the Lord was with him.

2.           Peter was in prison sleeping when the angel awoke him – Acts 12:5-7

3.           Jesus was in the boat sleeping when the panicking disciples awoke Him- Mark 4:38

C.          IS our sleep a restful sleep? Are we right with God when we pillow our head?
When understanding guides your heart, you sleep will be sweet – Proverbs 3:24
Ecclesiastes 5:12 – the sleep of a laboring man is sweet

D.         We teach our children to pray, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

1.           Do we pray that prayer ourselves? Are we able to close our eyes at night knowing that everything will be alright, even if we don’t arise?

2.           And with that we put our trust in Him that we will arise, whether physically or spiritually.

3.           Hebrews 13:5-6 – Christians can trust in God knowing that man cannot really do anything to us

V. Salvation belongs to the Lord

A.         Here David calls upon the Lord to deliver him. And he knows that in the end, good will prevail. Exactly what will befall him he could not say, but he knew who was in charge and that in the end no one will get away with rebellion against God.
And in the end, God saved David. 2 Samuel 18 records Absalom’s defeat and David’s restoration as king.

B.          This is the confidence of the Christian

1.              Philippians 1:27-28 – Paul’s admonition was that their conduct would be worthy of the gospel…not in any way terrified by their adversaries

2.              2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 – Those who trouble you will pay for it.

3.              Revelation 6:10-11 describes the souls of martyred saints crying, “How long…” The theme of the book of Revelation could be, “The Avenging of the Apostles and Prophets”

Thus we see another Psalm. David had many enemies, but they did not affect where his real trust rested. One of the blessings of the child of God is a confidence that God is there and He has something much better waiting for us, if we will just put our trust in Him and serve Him faithfully. What about you? Where is your confidence? Can you truly sleep a sweet sleep?