Bible Studies

Psalm 3

Psalm 3
ESV
Save Me, O My God
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

The Battles David faced. The events of this psalm are recorded in verse 2 Samuel 15:18.

David describes how his enemies increased. Perhaps during this time where many forsook David and joined the rebellion of his son Absalom. They saw no hope for David. David shared his concerns (their great number) that could've led to the comment that for David there is no salvation in God.

They saw David's circumstances, they saw the numbers of opposition and the rebellion, which led to their prideful thinking. Their mockery led to David going to the same God they boldly said he has no salvation in. When people mock our faith, reliance and trust in God, let us pursue Hin even more because God will not be mocked and the voices of strangers won't turn us away from our Redeemer.

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

I love how this part starts with a But. David didn't stay in despair or listen to the lies of his enemies but kept truth in his heart to combat the lies thrown at him. He called God for who he is. This is something we can all take away. When we are thrown with such lies that God has abandoned us and we can never be healed.

We can stay "BUT GOD IS A HEALER, BUT GOD IS MY SALVATION AND JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS".

David names God as His shield, Glory, the one who lifts his head up (this speaks to me of perseverance, hope and trust). Though the people could have pride in the situation, that everything was against David, their great number etc,  David has pride in His great God. David held the testimony that God heard His cries before and He shall again.

This reminds me of what the Apostle Paul would later say when we are weak, we are strong and also the scripture that says greater is He in us than he that's in the world (2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 John 4:4).

5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set who have set themselves against me all around

David was able to lay down and sleep despite being in such troubling circumstances. It was a grace to fall asleep and it is also for us but also a grace to wake up. David didn't die, didn't starve to death. David wasn't murdered but rather God sustained him. In his going to sleep and him waking up, he could have the faith to face his trials. For though David had a life filled with trials and danger, he still lived and was sustained. Now, he could have the faith to face this new trial despite his enemies all around him.

1) David held his testimonies of God's faithfulness before, something we can neglect or forget when we enter new seasons of trials.

2) David's faith was increased when he meditated on God's previous faithfulness.

We see this in the new testament. That faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Our faith comes from hearing this truth. As David took time to remember the salvation of the Lord, he was able to stop himself from going into despair and rather he kept the truth that God has saved him despite his many mistakes and despite the many hardships he faced. So he can now trust God remains that same faithful God that can deliver Him from this trouble.

7 Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah

With his faith, David now boldly prayed for God's salvation. After combating the lie from verse 2, He can now pray for the very thing people were saying won't happen. He prayed for help! David called for this help because he knew his God fought for him before. His God defended him. His God delivered him. This new battle doesn't change the fact that his God remains that same God.

God's deliverance to David wasn't just to David. This blessing is upon all God's people. David didn't just see himself but looked beyond himself to the nation. That God's blessing is also upon God's people.