Thoughts On Psalm 3

The heading of this psalm tells us it is "a psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son," and before commenting on the psalm it will be helpful if we draw attention to a few items concerning Absalom.

From 2 Samuel 14 we learn that "in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him." So he was quite perfect physically. His history, however, shows him to be without moral or spiritual value, and reminds us that in men as in women, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain."

Among his deeds of violence we find the murder of his brother Amnon. He said, "Smite Amnon, then kill him, fear not; have not I commanded you." Then we find him usurping the throne of his father David, in preparation for which he stole the hearts of the men of Israel by his kisses and wiles. When the hosts of Israel had gathered to his standard he is found deeply engaged in counsel as to how to encompass the death of his father, and in the conflict that followed this was his special objective. But God who is over all ordered it otherwise, and Absalom's death, while the boughs of the oak supported him by the head, shows that

"The LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

But the way of the wicked shall perish."

David had fled from Jerusalem for he saw the Absalom rebellion was increasing, and this is the expression of his heart:

"LORD, how are mine adversaries increased!

Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be that say of my soul, There is no help (salvation) for him in God. Selah" (Verse 1).

How dreadful this would have been for David had it been true! And well does he call us to pause and think of that, as the word Selah indicates: "Think of that !" In our own ease it would be sad in the extreme were such words true that there is no salvation for us in God. But we thank God from our hearts that He has provided salvation for us in Christ the Son of God. Salvation from going down to the pit (Job 33.24), and also a daily salvation for them that draw near unto God (Hebrews 7.25), has been prepared for us by God.

In verse 3 of the psalm David rises above what men were saying. He reveals what God is to him.

"But Thou, 0 LORD, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

As he left Jerusalem no doubt his head was hanging low, but through crying unto the LORD with his voice, and being answered out of His holy hill, his head had been lifted up, and he was glorying in Him who was a Shield about him. Then again he asks us, think of that!

The remaining section of the psalm gives us the result of his faith in the LORD:

"I laid me down and slept;

I awaked; for the LORD sustaineth me" (5).

To lie down and sleep under those conditions would not be an easy matter, but his confidence in God was such that he could do so, and then go on to say,

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people,

That have set themselves against me round about" (6).

How near the LORD was to His servant David! and we too may know that, "The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4.5). It has been aptly said, "When in a fix, remember Philippians four and six", which says, "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."

Finally David calls upon the LORD to arise and save him, and speaks of smiting all his enemies upon the cheek bone, and breaking the teeth of the wicked. "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD," he says, and then he prays,

"Thy blessing be upon Thy people."

Though so many thousands of the people had turned against him, yet his desire was for their blessing. In some ways David resembles Moses, who sought blessing on the people even though they were treating him ill. We also may learn the lesson to "Let love be without hypocrisy... In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another... Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not" (Romans 12.9-14). Yes, there's much to think about David in Psalm 3, and we would listen to his closing word, Selah. Think of that!

unknown | Jun 1956
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