ENEMIES-Psalm 3

Enemies: “Lord, how many are my foes [adversaries]! How many rise up against me!” (Ps 3:1). Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver [save/rescue] him” (Ps 3:2). “There is no help/salvation for him in God.”

Salvation: “From the Lord comes deliverance” (Ps 3:8a). “Rescue is the Lord’s!” “To Yahweh belongs salvation!”

Main theme: Trust God in troubling times. The Dark Hour. You are Not Alone. Peace in the midst of the storm:

1. Predicament: David’s Complaint (Ps 3:1-2). Human enmity.
2. Peace: David’s Confidence in God (Ps 3:3-6). Divine protection.
3. Prayer: David’s Prayer for Deliverance (Ps 3:7-8). Victory and blessing.

Title: A psalm [song*] of David. *mizmor from the verb zamar, ‘to make music,’ hence ‘a musical composition,’ a ‘song.’ In flight for his life David still had a song in his heart! The psalm instructs us how to meet the troubled day. These ‘titles’ have always been an integral part of the text of the psalms, counting as verse 1 when verses were numbered. They should be treated as serious introductions to their psalms.

[Psalm 3 from The Chosen] Questions:

• What brackets the introduction to the book of Psalms, which are chapters 1 and 2 (Ps 1:1; 2:12)?
  • What does “blessed” mean (Gen 12:2)? Is blessedness up to you (Gen 12:1)?
  • What do the blessed do (Ps 1:2; 2:11-12; 84:4-5, 12; 119:1-2)?
  • Are you blessed? Are you sure? Not sure?
• Do you trust God to sustain and protect you during times of trouble, trials, tribulation and temptation?

1. What is the historical context (Psalm 3 title; 2 Sam 15:13-14)? Are David’s troubles a result of his own sin (2 Sam 12:7-10)? If you experience the consequences of your guilt, grief, shame and sin what do you do (2 Sam 12:12; Ps 51:4)?
2. How did David respond to the “many foes” rising up against him (Ps 3:1)? How does it feel when many say that God will not deliver you (Ps 3:2; 2 Sam 16:5-8)? Why might they say that (Num 32:23)? Have you encounted such angst, adversity, hardships and difficulty as a result of your sin?
3. How does David describe God (Ps 3:3)? Is this a prayer request or an affirmation? What does each description mean for David’s situation? For you?
4. What did David do in response to his troubles (Ps 3:4; Jas 5:13a)? When in pain or agony do you groan and cry? Or cry out to God?
5. Do you find peace and rest amidst agonizing difficulty (Ps 3:5)? How (Phil 4:6-7)? Was David worried about waking up? Are you? Why do people suffer from anxiety and depression in the midst of comfort and plenty?
6. Was David not afraid of great odds against him (Ps 3:6)? How threatening is fear? Do you have fear? What takes away fear (Rom 8:31; 1 Jn 4:18)?
7. What does David ask God to do (Ps 3:7; 58:6)? Is such prayer proper for Christians (Mt 5:44)? Do you likewise pray? What does God do with the wicked (Ps 1:6; 2:2-6)?
8. Who can deliver you (Ps 3:8; Eph 2:8-9)? Did David deliver himself (1 Sam 24:3-6; 26:7-11)? Do you try to deliver yourself? What does his prayer for blessing on God’s people show about him (1 Sam 13:14; Ac 13:22)?

• What do you learn about facing opposition or difficulties?
• How does Psalm 3 point to Christ (Ps 3:2, 8; Mt 26:45; 27:42-43)?

Knowing what God has done in the past gives you confidence in what God will do in the future.