Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jun 17th Troubled? Find Peace from Psalm Three

Today’s Reading – Psalms 1 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Read the  “0617 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous post from this passage – “A Recipe for Success,” and “Kiss the Son.”

Text

“1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.” (Ps 3:1–8)

I am excited to begin our journey today through the Psalms. In many of these Psalms, we see the personal experience of King David or whoever happened to write the psalm, but we also often see an application to the Nation of Israel, whether it be in their historical, or sometimes prophetic context (i.e. the Tribulation Period). We can also often see an application to the saints of God everywhere. Many of the trials, feelings, and emotions that David, etc. experienced, we can identify with as well.

Background

This Psalm is known as a Mourning or Lament Psalm. Psalm 1 is known as a Wisdom Psalm. Psalm 2 is known as a Messianic Psalm. There are 6 other categories within the Psalms, which include Testimonial Psalms, Imprecatory Psalms (asking for judgment), Pilgrim Psalms (sung during pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Penitential Psalms (sorrow for sin), Historical Psalms, Creation or Nature Psalms.

The Psalms are written by many different writers: David (73); Asaph (12); Korahthites (12); Solomon (2); Moses (1); Ethan (1); Anonymous (49).  Note – Psalm 1 was anonymous; Psalm 2 is technically anonymous, but the Book of Acts tells us that it was spoken by the mouth of David (Acts 4:25) 

In Psalm 3, we are introduced to “Selah” – pause – remember these Psalms were originally set to music. This is a musical rest. For us it means stop, look, and listen.

Introduction to Psalm 3

David was running from his own son in this Psalm.

You may remember that the problem began with David’s sin with Bathsheba, along with his murder of Uriah.

“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” – (2 Samuel 12:9-12)

What David went through with Absalom was a result of his sin. We will all eventually pay the piper. We will all reap in judgment what we sow in sin. Thank God, if we are saved, we will not reap all of what we sowed, but there will still be consequences for deliberately sinning against God.

Absalom was the brother of a little girl named Tamar who was raped by their half-brother Amnon. Absalom eventually killed Amnon in retaliation for what he did to his sister. He was banished from David’s kingdom for a while, but was eventually permitted to return, but his relationship with his father was never right. He began to win over the people of Israel and finally became so popular that he was able to lead much of Israel in rebellion against their king, and his father. David was forced to leave the city of Jerusalem and flee to the wilderness. Absalom was killed in the battle that followed, and David was placed back on the throne, but only after enduring the loss of many “so-called” allies, and even friends and family members.

See 2 Samuel 16 for some background on this Psalm (the actual passage that deals with this entirely is 2 Samuel 15:13 – 17:22

Outline of Passage

I          A Discouraging Situation (vs. 1 – 2)

There will be times in life when God allows us to go through difficult days. Some of these times may be a direct result of the bad choices we have made in the past. Some of the trials we go through will be simply because we are living for the Lord. The Bible is clear that godly people will go through some dark valleys.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” – (1 Peter 4:12-14)

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – (1 Peter 1:6-7)

The valleys of life can be very tough. In these first two verses, David is reflecting on his situation. Thank God for the pause (Selah). When you find yourself focusing on your situation, pause for a second – stop, look, and listen – and turn your attention to the solution – God.

II         A Delivering Solution (vs. 3 – 4)

Here the tone shifts dramatically with “But thou, O Lord art …”

• Shield — God’s protection.
• Glory — God’s presence and honor.
• Lifter up of mine head — God’s provision and restoration (contrast with David’s bowed head in 2 Samuel 15:30).

“And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.” – (2 Samuel 15:30)

God may let you go through the dark days like this, but you can also trust Him to lift you up. By the way – church is for lifting people up, edifying and encouraging each other.

David cried out, and God heard him from His holy hill. What a comfort! “Call unto me, and I will answer thee…” (Jeremiah 33:3).

“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” – (Psalm 34:6-8)

III       A De-stressing Security (vv. 5 – 6)

David slept peacefully and awoke sustained by the Lord. Fear lost its grip. “I will not be afraid of ten thousands…” When we truly fear (reverence) the Lord, we need not fear men or circumstances. Remember what Elisha told his servant: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

IV       A Definite Salvation (vv 7 – 8)

David spoke of deliverance as a foregone conclusion. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and His blessing is upon His people.

Conclusion

• We start out at “Woe is Me” – “the sky is falling” – everything is bad
• We remind ourselves of the promises of God. If we call on Him, He will answer. Nothing can happen to us unless God allows it for our good or his glory.

“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” – (1 Chronicles 28:20)

• We then get that peace that passes understanding.
• All without seeing any change in our present circumstances.

Devotional / Practical Thoughts 

1. Pause and Remember Who God Is (The Power of “Selah” and “But Thou”) In discouraging situations, we naturally fixate on the “how are they increased” reality. David models the better way: pause, lift your eyes, and declare the truth about God. He is your Shield in battle, your Glory when you feel ashamed, and the One who lifts your head when life beats you down. Church family and fellow believers play a role here too—encouraging and lifting one another up.

2. Trust God for Peace and Deliverance – Even Before You See It David went to sleep in the middle of a rebellion with an army pursuing him. He awoke confident because the Lord sustained him. We may not see immediate change in our circumstances, but we can have peace that passes understanding by trusting God’s promises. Nothing touches us unless He allows it for our good and His glory. As David later told Solomon, “Be strong… fear not… for the LORD God… will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

Friend, are you in a “Psalm 3” season? Family strife, betrayal, health struggles, financial pressure, or spiritual attack? Remember: God has not abandoned you. Cry out to Him. Rest in His sustaining grace. Salvation and blessing belong to the Lord.