Tuesday, August 6 – Psalms 3, 4

1. When did David write Psalms 3 and 4? Psalm 3 superscription

2. How did David feel when he wrote Psalm 3? Psalm 3:6

3. Repeat tonight as you go to sleep the prayer in Psalm 4:8

“Whisper a prayer in the morning, Whisper a prayer at noon, Whisper a prayer in the evening, to keep your heart in tune.”

Psalms 3 is a morning prayer. What circumstances led David to write Psalms 3? 2 Samuel chapter 15 gives us some insights.

Because of David’s sin, the prophet Nathan had predicted the tragedy that would befall David’s family. Four of his sons would fall. And Absalom would commit treason. It is a sad thing when you find treason in your own family. But it happened to King David. After his sin, he was unable to discipline his own family. Very similar to Satan’s fall, for his heart was lifted up because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28:17), Absolum became obsessed with his beauty and popularity. 2 Samiel 15:6 says, “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” Now, with an army of over 20,000, Absalom’s conspiracy and rebellion became so bad that David was forced to flee with only 600 loyal but well-trained men of war.

David, warned by his trusted counselor, Hushai, that he must flee, now knew he must cross a swift Jordan River under perilous conditions with women and children in the middle of the night. Psalms 3 is his song and testimony that he kept his heart upon God in the hour of his darkest trial. Verses 1-4 says, “Lord how are they increased that trouble me, many are they that rise up against me, many there be that say of my soul, there is no help for him in God, but You O Lord are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His Holy Hill.”

David had found peace in God, such peace that he slept. Verse 5 says, “I laid down and slept, I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.” David knew God was with him. In verse 6, he says, “I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people who have set themselves against me all around.” He knew God was protecting him. He cried out to God in verse 7, “Arise O Lord, save me, O my God! for you have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone. You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.” He then concludes in verse 8 with these words. “Salvation belongs unto the Lord”, and then calls for a blessing upon his people, even those who had not been loyal to him. “Your blessing is upon Your people.”

Have we not been in David’s situation in one way or another? Have not our sins led us to some of our darkest hours? But we, like David, can find peace in knowing Jesus is our shield. He hears us. We can sleep peacefully because He sustains us. We don’t need to be afraid. He is our salvation. His blessing is for us. Let His praise be our whispered prayer in the morning.

Pastor Les McCoy