Sometimes in life we have enemies. They may not want to kill us, but because of their own sin, they create havoc in our lives. They desire what we have, they undermine our efforts, they gossip about us, they steal from us. We can find enemies at work, in our churches and even in our own homes. Sometimes, in the midst of the struggle with our enemies, it may feel like all hope in God is lost. In fact, Spurgeon once made a very fascinating statement:
“It is the most bitter of all afflictions to be led to fear that there is no help for us in God.”
CH Spurgeon
The truth however is quite the opposite. God is always there to receive us, even in our most desperate hour. In fact, if we pay close attention to the words of the Psalm, we can learn so much more. God is with us. He is in control. He can grant us a peace that surpasses understanding. It doesn’t matter what schemes the world may come up, God is still in control, and He won’t let anything happen that is not already part of His plan.
so take courage, Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Psalm 3 (NASB95)
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.
Context – Background info for better understanding
To understand Psalm 3 we first need to read and understand the history. The story of the relationship between Absalom and David is a long and conflicting one. Both of them have contributed to a terrible mess.
David
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- failed to implement justice following the rape of Tamar
- failed to implement justice or seek reconciliation with Absalom after the murder of Amnon
- failed to reconcile or meet with Absalom for two years though living so close
Absalom
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- was wrong in taking justice into his own hands by killing Amnon
- was wrong in burning Joab’s field to get an audience with David
- was wrong in seeking to sway the people away from David and towards himself
David’s mistakes were all of NOT doing what needed to be done, and Absalom’s mistake was to constantly take into his own hands what was not rightfully his to take. While David was wrong on many counts, Absalom should not have taken things into his own hands. So when we come to Psalm 3, David is fleeing for his life, in part because of his own inaction, but even more so, because his own son has staged a coup. Absalom has illegally taken over the thrown in a very sudden and violent manner.
So now when we read Psalm 3, we have clear context. While David has committed the sin of neglect, he is forced by the wickedness of his son to flee for his life.