Reflections on Psalms 3

 Psalms 03(Contemporary English Version)

1. (Written by David when he was running from his son Absalom.) I have a lot of enemies, LORD. Many fight against
   
2. me and say, "God won't rescue you!"
   
3. But you are my shield, and you give me victory and great honor.
   
4. I pray to you, and you answer from your sacred hill.
   
5. I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me.
   
6. Ten thousand enemies attack from every side, but I am not afraid.
   
7. Come and save me, LORD God! Break my enemies' jaws and shatter their teeth,
   
8. because you protect and bless your people.

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The setting of this Psalm is clearly identified - "A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom." (3:1) David was overwhelmed by the odds against him. It was enough that thousands were against him, many of whom had presumably been former supporters. But even his own son was against him. This would have been serious enough had it just been an ouster from the throne, but his life was at stake as well. It would be easy to believe what many were saying, "There is no help for him in God." (3:2) If so many had turned against him, God must surely have done so as well. Such thoughts would be difficult to dismiss.

But David's faith in the Lord remained strong. Verses 1 and 2 reflect a focus on the circumstances while the remaining verses reflect on the Lord. "You, Lord," David said, "are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head." (3:3) The Lord always had been his shield and would continue to be his shield. Nothing had changed except the circumstances. God is a constant regardless of what life throws at us or what we bring on ourselves. If He seems to have suddenly become distant, it is us and not Him who is distant. He remains as He has always been, waiting on us to return to His care.

David had prayed for God's protection before lying down to sleep and awoke to discover that the Lord had sustained him through the night. This was to him a symbol of God's deliverance from his circumstances. He could confidently say, "I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side." (3:6) We might expect his next statement to be a statement of faith, "For you, Lord, will save me." Instead, it was a prayer, "Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God!" (3:7) He had faith in the Lord, but he didn't presume upon the Lord. His prayer for deliverance was based on what he had already experienced in the Lord, "You strike all my enemies on the cheek." (3:7)

David closes the Psalm with a word of instruction, "Salvation belongs to the Lord." We should all pray to Him under all circumstances to share in the blessing of deliverance David had found in Him. The Lord may use people or other resources to provide our deliverance or salvation, but it is the Lord who provides it. Salvation belongs to the Lord!