Psalm 3

[Al Moak]

Psalm 3

This song was sung by David, likely in remembrance of the most perilous time of his life, the time of the rebellion of his son Absalom.  It was a time in which many discontent souls in Israel seized the occasion to join in the rebellion, and David was in peril of his very life. In fact, he had to flee Jerusalem and hide at night in caves or in the forest.

We might well ask ourselves why this song, composed in remembrance of the peril of only the one man David, would continue to be used in the worship of all Israel.  The reason is found in vs. 8: "Salvation belongs to the Lord.  Your blessing is upon Your people" - all the people of God have the same Lord, the same protection, and the same care as David had.

So it should be helpful to us as well to read that in the midst of an awful circumstance David prayed for help.  He cried out, "Arise, O Lord; save me O my God!"  He had confidence that God would hear him because he had experienced such help many times previously. All those times came to mind at this moment of extreme need, and he said, "You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly." So now, in this present perilous situation, he calls upon God to do for him again as He has done in the past.

By the grace of God such help is for more than David alone. May we see, in fact, that no matter what the trouble or trial in life, no matter how deep or perilous, God is still the same.  He is absolutely faithful to preserve and bless His people when they call out to Him for help. David's experience should inspire our confidence as well.

See how he sings:  "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One Who lifts up my head!  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me!"  David experienced first hand the salvation of the Lord in the most difficult of situations, and now he wants every Israelite (and every one of us) to have the same experience - God can be counted on to save each and every one of His people either in - or through - their troubles.  He will hear their prayer for help just as He did David's, and He will come speedily for rescue.

There are two conditions, though, for this kind of help from God.  Firstly, those who receive it must be the people of God.  He says, "Your blessing is upon Your people." Secondly, they must ask for it.  They need to have experienced His grace previously, and they need – trustingly - to pray for the help they need now.

So – can you and I not also count on Him to be our Rescuer?  If we are indeed the people of God, and if we too trust Him enough to pray, then He will be our help!

[Marilyn]

Brother Al; Isn't it wonderful the way each of the Psalms can in some way be speaking to our owne lives. This is why I like to PRAY the Psalms, and really apply to my own life.
Marilyn

[Al Moak]

They were written out of real experience; they apply to real experience.

[Marilyn]

I forgot to post here yesterday so I re-read this on today as well and #4.I have underlined verses 3-5. Verse 4 has particular significance to me  in the NCV it says,  " I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his  holy mountain." I KNOW that  he hears all our prayers and ALWAYS aswers us in his  time, sometimes it is very quickly and sometimes it take a very long time, but he always answers.

[Al Moak]

A good father answers his children's requests in several different ways - always in their best interest.  He sometimes answers "no!" because the request is not in the best interest of the child.  He sometimes answers, "No, but I'll tell what I will do, and he shows them a better lthing than they had in mind.  He sometimes answers, "Yes!"  But sometimes He delays the requested action.  He sometimes answers, "Yes" with needed modification to the requested item.  And of course there are many more possible answers given by a loving father.  But, in ALL cases, he answers.  So in this way we grow and learn.  In this way we are blessed.  In this way we are always welcomed into our Father's presence, and that, in itself is a great blessing.

[Marilyn]

I am back in the Psalms again, today was this one.

Salvation belongs to the Lord.  Your blessing is upon Your people" - all the people of God have the same Lord, the same protection, and the same care as David had.

Thank you Lord for you salvation and for all the blessing you have instore for your people.

[Kathy]

Just knowing that our LORD is a shield around me and that from Him comes deliverance is a blessing for me today.