Confident Before Many Foes-Psalms 3:1-8

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Psalms 3:1-8; 6

“I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side” (Ps 3:6, HCSB).

Theme: When despondent, depend on God and experience God’s deliverance.

The Psalms: Songs of the Heart. This seems to be a good title and theme for our series on the Psalms. (The English title comes from the Greek word psalmos, which translates Hebrew mizmor, “song.” The Hebrew name for the book is Tehillim, “Praises,” pointing to the characteristic use of these songs as praises offered to God in public worship.) Throughout the 150 psalms, various psalmists express the entire gamut of their authentic inner emotions. In Psalm 3, David expresses vividly how he processes and deals internally with his dire situation of being surrounded by many adversaries on every side (6).

  • How can one not be afraid when they have enemies surrounding them on every side?
  • Do you feel confident when the odds are stacked against you?
  • Do you live with no fear or anxiety in your heart when you are uncertain about your future?
  • Can you sleep peacefully when there are troubles all about you?

Authenticity. From the book of Psalms we want to learn about the authentic inner life of a believer, as various psalmists express their manifold emotions, especially in various troubling, distressful situations and painful, discouraging circumstances of life. Compared to David, I really have life so easy!

  • In Psalm 1, we considered The Secret of Happiness. We learn that happiness is closely related to how we live and what we think most often about (Ps 1:1-2). To be happy we must love God, love others and love Scripture.
  • In Psalm 2, we proclaimed that God’s King Reigns. Despite unrelenting opposition and rebellion from rulers and nations (Ps 2:1-3), God’s plans and purposes will never ever be thwarted or hindered (Ps 2:4-9).
  • In Psalm 3, David, the man after God’s own heart, dealt with adversity without any fear and with unflinching confidence despite all the odds being stacked against him. This sermon may be titled “Confidence Against All Odds,” “Fearless Before Many Adversaries,” “Confidence in the Morning,” or “Confidnece Under Pressure.” Psalm 3 shows a pattern for praise, peace and prayer amidst pressure, pain, persecution and punishment.

Psalm 3 is the first psalm with a title. David is the author and the occasion is Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18). This psalm shows how David models genuine faith while in dire straits. Readers, both past and present, can learn from David’s faith how to overcome our own times of difficulty, distress, despondency and despair. Consider David’s perspective regarding:

  1. What He Sees and Hears (1-2): Human opposition.
  2. What He Believes (3-4): Divine protection.
  3. What He Prays For and Experiences (5-8): Sleep. Confidnece. Victory (over his foes). Blessing (that is sure).

When feeling disheartened, discouraged, dejected, despaired, desperate and depressed because of one’s difficult circumstance, one may go through the stages that the psalmist went through:

  1. Despondency (1-2): What he knows, based on what he hears and sees.
  2. Dependency (3-4): What he does. He prays and affirms God as his shield.
  3. Deliverance (5-8): What he experiences–sleep, sustenance, confidence, victory.

Psalm 3 may be divided as such:

  1. Complaint (1-2): Many enemies
  2. Confession (3-4): God is my shield
  3. Consolation/Comfort (5-8): Sleep and confidence
  1. Predicament (1-2)
  2. Prayer/Petition (3-4)
  3. Peace (5-8)

I. Despondency (1-2): What He Sees and Hears is Human Opposition (Background: 2 Samuel 15:13-17:24).

How discouraging and disheartening it is to hear disparagement and negativity uttered about you, usually behind your back and in accusatory attack mode.

  • God will not bless you.
  • God will punish you.
  • God will not answer your prayer.
  • God is not pleased with you.
  • You just want to fulfill your own desire.
  • You just want to get married. (I’m NOT disparaging singles, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be married!)

II. Dependency (3-6): What He Believes and Experiences is Peaceful Sleep, Divine Protection. Confidence without Fear.

This psalms clear focal point is that prayer brings confidence to face life (3-6; Prov 28:1; 29:25).

No more fear of man. A few years ago Prov 29:25 literally changed the way I viewed, perceived and responded to people in authority whom I feared. Just as I had feared and honored Dr. Lee who was my mentor for 22 years from 1980-2002 when he passed away, I also feared every older person and leader in UBF. The practical result of this was that I lived before the person I feared, rather than living in the fear of God (Prov 1:7; 9:10). I lived to please the person I feared (Jn 5:43-44), rather than pleasing God (Jn 8:29). This was a miserable way to live. It was crippling and incapacitating. It felt enslaving and oppressive. What a tremendous freedom and liberation it was to no longer live in the fear of any man! (See West Loop UBF, 2008-2014.) When David prayed, he experienced the confidence and the freedom from fear of those who were determined to defeat and destroy him.

III. Deliverence (7-8): What He Prays For and Knows is Victory Over His Foes. Blessing that is Sure.

Ultimately, Jesus is the one who utters Ps 3:1-2. When we cry out to God and affirm God as our shield (Ps 3:3-4), we often experience God’s grace and deliverance, victory and blessing (Ps 3:5-8). But when Jesus cried out to God (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1), God was silent and left him forsaken to die alone in agony on the cross. God, the Almighty Creator, remaining silent during Jesus’ moment of greatest agony is one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Yet, through this profound mystery of the cross, God enables us to experience his mercy, grace, love and peace. Only because of this, can we live with the utmost of confidence even in the face of our worst trials.

Review Psalms 1 and 2:

  • Meditate on God’s law/instruction/word day and night begins the Prophets and the Writings of the OT (Josh 1:8; Ps 1:2). What Bible verse(s) have informed, inspired, touched and transformed you?
  • Where in the NT is Psalm 2 quoted and alluded to?
    1. 1-2: Ac 4:25-26; 1 Cor 2:8.
    2. 7: Ac 13:33 (Rom 1:4); Heb 1:5; 5:5.
    3. 9: Rev 2:26-27; 12:5; 19:15.
  • Review the 4 voices in the 4 sections/strophes/stanzas/scenes of Psalm 2 with 3 verses each:
  1. God challenged (1-3): Mankind’s voice. Exposes human rebellion. It’s futile.
  2. God laughs (4-6): God’s voice. Expresses divine reaction. God installs his anointed king.
  3. God decrees (7-9): The Son’s voice. Establishes divine rule. He rules the nations.
  4. God exhorts (10-12): The psalmist’s voice. Exhorts human responsibility. Kiss the Son.

Questions on Psalm 3:

  • What occasion led David to write this psalm? Read 2 Samuel 15:13-17:24.
  1. What did David know about his adversaries (1)? What did they say (2)? Who in particular (2 Sam 16:5-8)? How might you feel in such a situation?
  2. How did David view God (3)? What did he do and how did God respond (4)?
  3. Why was David able to sleep in the midst of many troubles (5)? Why is insomnia a problem for many? Can you sleep peacefully when there are uncertainties and troubles all about you?
  4. How did David feel knowing that there are thousands against him on every side (6; Prov 29:25)? Do you feel confident when the odds are stacked against you?
  5. How does David pray (7; Ps 7:8)? Should Christians today pray like him (Mt 5:44)?
  6. What is David confident of (8)?

References:

  1. Motyer, J Alec. The Psalms. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1994.
  2. Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1 – 72: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1973. The Dark Hour
    1. Human enmity (1-2).
    2. Divine protection (3-4).
    3. Peace of mind (5-6).
    4. Victory and blessing (7-8).
  3. Psalm 3 — A Morning Prayer for God’s Protection.
    1. David’s complaint (1-2).
    2. David’s comfort (3-6).
    3. David’s cry (7-8).
  4. ESV Study Bible.
    1. What he sees (1-2).
    2. What he believes (3-6).
    3. What he prays for (7-8).
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