Psalm 3
In Psalm 3 David has an enemy – his son, Absalom. As he writes this Psalm he is fleeing Jerusalem away from Absalom who has attempted to usurp David’s throne (vv. 1-2). In the rest of the Psalm David expresses his confidence in God to be his protector, to save him from Absalom.
For the past many months our Men’s Group has been looking at Holy Spirit references in the Gospels and the Epistles. As we read and discussed these many verses I’ve seen that the Holy Spirit was alive and active in my life, and I’ve encouraged others in the group to look back themselves and see His work in their lives. So part of what I’m doing in the Psalms is seeing God at work in my life as I read words written by others many, many centuries ago.
My first thought on this Psalm was that I don’t see myself as having any enemies – other than Satan and his demons (and my own self!). And even when I look back I see people who have done me wrong, but I didn’t actively see them as enemies. At Texas A&M University and the University of Delaware there were people who had power over me and used it against me, but I never had any indication from them that I was going to be terminated or not offered a job. It was more a “knife in the back” outcome – I never saw it coming. At my most recent position (Eastern Kentucky University) I had active enemies and I knew it – they did what they could to undermine me. In one sense their actions against me succeeded, but in another sense I was able to rise above these difficulties and have a good career at EKU. My most prominent enemy back then has now become a very good friend.
I wish that I had been more in tune with the Psalms back then. As we read through the Psalms we’ll see a number of “enemies” Psalms, mostly from King David, and we’ll constantly see him expressing his confidence in the Lord’s protection and seeking His deliverance. Today we see that confidence in verses 5 and 6: I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Most interesting to me is that David slept comfortably, even though he knew he was under attack. We also need to stay at rest when difficulties arise. There will be negative outcomes, but if we look back we’ll see God’s hand in all those outcomes. We can learn well from Joseph when his brothers did him wrong: But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear … you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:19-20a).
According to my study Bible, the poetic imagery “on the cheekbone” in vs 7 refers to his enemies being like wild beasts whose strength is in their jaws and whose terror is in their teeth. God strikes at the source of their strength. I thought this was interesting.
I was struck by the detail that God will “… break their teeth,” which makes more sense after Katie’s comment. Guess my enemy can’t hurt me after all, with God’s help!
As I look back in my life journey I have had people who have been enemies, one a family member but I don’t believe anyone was planning to kill me. They may have not cried at my funeral but not have plotted my death. So as you pointed out Fred, David slept even though he knew his son was planning to kill him. I love how he credits God for his waking. Sleep or rather not being able to sleep is the major way Satan attacks me and he does want me to die. When I wake up with a racing mind that brings up my past transgressions I know where this is coming from. David knew his enemy and trusted God to watch over him while he slept. I need to learn from David.
My attention was drawn to vs 5 in this Psalm; “I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.”
It was about 1 year ago I underwent surgery on my shoulder for torn tendons. I’ll admit I didn’t specifically go to this Psalm for guidance at that time, but I did have the mindset to give it all to God in prayer. I was anxious about the surgery – there’s so much I couldn’t control and there was no guarantee of the outcome. However I did realize I was anxious and nervous about the surgery and giving that to God in prayer allowed me to relax and “…lay down and sleep…” and then in the wake up/recovery room “…I woke up in safety…”
It was a successful surgery and another one of God’s many miracles, “…for the Lord was watching over me…”, that He’s done and continues to do in my life!
Really good comments, everyone. There is nothing I can think of that would cause more soul-crushing despair than to have a son actively trying to kill me for monetary gain or power. But in the depths of David’s despair, as Courtenay pointed out, he turns to God and simply trusts Him. Prayer is the answer.
For the full context of this Psalm, see 2 Samuel 13-19. Clearly, it was a distressing time for David, particularly because it was his own son, Absalom, rising up against him. But Absalom was not alone; he garnered a lot of support from the people with a strong military force, and that must have weighed heavily on David as well, having so many people turn against him, as is echoed in Psalm 3:1. Absalom might have had some reason for his grudge against David, but surely the populace did not, and that must have stung. But David did not simply wallow in his griefs (and grievances); he took it all to the LORD his God.
Outside of military service, most of us have likely not faced any physical-life-threatening enemies, but we all have faced — and continue to face — enemies of one form or another, enemies that aim to sap our strength and drain us of life and joy and peace, even if not plotting our physical death. In all cases, we must turn — like David — to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.