Psalm 3 (KJV)
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.
- Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
- But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
- I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
- I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
- I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
- 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.
- Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
1. Setting the Stage: The Crisis Behind the Psalm
Context:
David is fleeing Jerusalem because his son Absalom has led a rebellion against him (2 Samuel 15–18).
This psalm is David’s morning prayer after a night of danger.
Emphasis:
- Even God’s people experience betrayal, fear, and overwhelming pressure.
- Psalm 3 shows how to respond when in life you feel outnumbered.
2. Verses 1–2 — The Weight of Opposition
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!”
David begins with a cry, not a complaint. He names the reality.
Key Points
- Many enemies: David feels surrounded.
- Many voices: They say, “There is no help for him in God.”
- Spiritual attack: The enemy’s greatest weapon is discouragement.
Application
- Acknowledge real pressures in life.
- The enemy often whispers, “God won’t help you.”
- Faith begins with honesty before God.
3. Verse 3 — The Turning Point: Who God Is
“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Three Titles David Gives God
| Title | Meaning | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Shield | Protection on all sides | God defends us even when we can’t defend ourselves |
| Glory | The One who restores dignity | God defines your worth, not circumstances |
| Lifter of my head | Comfort, encouragement, restoration | God lifts us from shame, fear, and despair |
Emphasis
David shifts from focusing on enemies to focusing on God’s character.
4. Verse 4 — Prayer and God’s Answer
“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.”
Key Points
- David cries—this is earnest, heartfelt prayer.
- James 5:16
- Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
- James 5:16
- God hears—not from a distant place, but from His holy hill (Zion).
- 1 Peter 3:12 ESV
- For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
- 1 John 5:14 ESV
- And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- 1 Peter 3:12 ESV
- David’s confidence is rooted in God’s faithfulness.
Application
- God hears the prayers of the brokenhearted.
- 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
- Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
- Psalm 34:18 ESV
- The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Psalm 147:3 ESV
- He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
- Isaiah 57:15 ESV
- For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Matthew 5:4 ESV
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
- Prayer is not a last resort; it is the believer’s lifeline.
5. Verses 5–6 — Rest in the Midst of Danger
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”
Key Points
- David sleeps while surrounded by enemies.
- Sleep is an act of trust.
- God sustains him through the night.
- Proverbs 3:24
- When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
- Proverbs 3:24
Application
- Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God.
- God gives rest even in seasons of turmoil.
6. Verse 7 — A Bold Cry for Deliverance
“Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.”
Key Points
- David calls on God to act.
- He remembers past deliverances (“thou hast smitten…”).
- Past victories fuel present faith.
Application
- It’s biblical to ask God to intervene powerfully.
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens courage today.
7. Verse 8 — The Final Declaration
“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people.”
Key Points
- Salvation is God’s work, not ours.
- Titus 2:11 ESV
- For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
- Not of works, lest any man should boast.
- Titus 2:11 ESV
- David ends with confidence, not fear.
- He shifts from personal need to communal blessing.
Application
- God’s deliverance is bigger than one person—it blesses His people.
- Faith leads to worship and trust.
Questions to Ask yourself
- What does David teach us about handling fear?
- How does focusing on God’s character change our perspective?
- Why is verse 5 such a powerful picture of trust?
- How can we pray like David when we feel overwhelmed?
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