notes

Main point summary

Because it is God who saves, I can be at peace despite what people say and I can call on Him to save me from my enemies and to bless His people.

Thoughts

How many times have you felt that everything and everyone is against you? This is not an uncommon experience; sometimes it's a result of our own actions, and sometimes it's a result of someone else's; nevertheless, it is never pleasant. If you are one who fights for yourself, you know how exhausting it can be to consistently be on the defense against sometimes even your own family members, and how difficult it can be to get up in the mornings knowing you have a battle ahead of you. David knows this kind of situation well, as he penned Psalm 3 after being exiled from his own home by his own son, the son of his sin with Bathsheba. David was the quintessential fighter; yet he had nearly the entire city (and country) against him, to set up Absolom over him as king. It appeared to every observer that God had deserted David and was not going to rescue him. But David knew in his heart what others didn't: God had always been a shield about David, and had always been the one to give him joy in the midst of trials. Because David knew this, he could sleep at night - despite being a fighter who seemingly had the whole world against him. His sustenance was not his own strength but his God; he could be fearless not because of his own might but because of God's might; and, he could have confidence in asking God for help because he trusted in his God completely, that God is the one who saves and God is the one who will fight on David's behalf. David had experienced it his entire life; even though the circumstances seemed otherwise, David had no reason not to trust God would rescue him again. God's character, which David had witnessed from his youth, would not leave David on his own to fight his own battle - God always answers His beloved's call for help. David could have confidence in God for his rescue, and could have peace in God because he would not have to fight the multitude by himself. David can ask for blessings on the people because he knew God is the one who saves, the one who hears and responds, the one who blesses, and the one who fights for His children - David could claim none of these, and joyfully asks for God to bless His people despite being run out of town by his own people. That is saving faith. What is it in our lives that often prevents our trust in God for rescue from our circumstances?

Arc

editing

OT

Psalms 3:1-8

esv

mine

O Lord , o how many are my foes!

Lord God, I have many people against me,

Many are p rising against me;

that is , a multitude has taken up a fight against me;

ideaexplanation

many are saying of my soul,

furthermore there's a multitude saying of my soul

q there is no salvation for him in God. Selah 1

that God the Father will not save me.

progression

But you, O Lord , are r a shield s about me,

However , you, Father, are a protection for me,

my glory,

and you are my glorious heritage,

and t the lifter of my head.

and you sustain and bring joy to me.

I u cried aloud to the Lord ,

Therefore I called to God my Father,

and he v answered me from his w holy hill. Selah

and he responded to me from heaven.

actionresult

inference

concessive

I x lay down

Because he responded to me , I could lie down,

and slept;

and sleep,

I woke again,

and wake,

for the Lord sustained me.

because God is the one who gave life to my soul.

I y will not be afraid of many thousands of people

Therefore I will not fear any multitude of people

who have z set themselves against me all around.

that have besieged me to take my life.

bilateral

a Arise, O Lord !

So show yourself, Lord;

Save me, O my God!

rescue me, my God,

For you b strike all my enemies on the cheek;

for you are the one who fights on my behalf

you c break the teeth of the wicked.

and the one who breaks their appearance of strength.

ground

d Salvation belongs to the Lord ;

This is all possible because the Lord God is the one who saves;

your blessing be on your people! Selah

therefore , Lord, let your blessing rest upon your people.

discourse