Psalm 3
Foes without number press upon the speaker. Prayer is his
refuge. Calmly he sleeps. His fears are gone. Speak, Lord, that thus our
hearts may ever rest.
1. "O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up
against me!"
The first scene shows the monarch flying from his
heartless son. Absalom advances with rebellious hosts. The outcast father
looks upon the swelling billows of foul treason. Increasing numbers hunt his
life. He sees, and he appeals to God.
Here, also, our Jesus may be heard. The powers of
darkness are combined. Hell and its legions terribly assail. Wicked men do
their worst wickedly. On all sides troubles multiply. Many voices cry
"Crucify." The servant follows in the suffering path. The true believer
often will but moan.
2. "Many there are who say of my soul, There is no
help for him in God."
Affliction has the aspect of desertion. Many
reason that God's favor surely would disperse these clouds—His voice could
quickly scatter all the ills. David thus persecuted seems to be cast off.
Here is the scoff of Calvary. "He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him
now, if He will have Him. The thieves also, who were crucified with Him,
cast the same in His teeth."
3. "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory and
the lifter up of my head."
In darkest days faith shines with brightest glow. In
the wild storm it looks to God and sings. No weapon can succeed against it.
God, even God Himself, surrounds His children as a shield. The shaft
which touches them must pierce through God! Welcome, also, reproach and
ridicule and scorn. No disgrace can soil their name. They are renowned among
the sons of men. Their glory is their God. No billows can submerge them.
God, even their own God, lifts up their heads. From deepest waters Jesus
rose to God's right hand. Where the Head is, there too shall the members be.
4. "I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me
out of His holy hill."
The voice of the insulting foe may loudly cry; but faith
outcries. It has direct admission to the courts above. The blood-bought way
is ever open. The interceding Spirit prompts the appeal. The
mediating Son presents it. The Father on His throne
receives it. Heaven opens, streams of answering blessings flow down. No
case is desperate to him whose call can bring almightiness to his aid. Here
is our Jesus. In the days of His flesh, He offered up prayers and
supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto Him who was able to save
Him from death, and was heard in that He feared.
5. "I laid down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord
sustained me."
The battlefield and the besieged fort present no downy
couch. The alarms of war invite not to repose. But GOD is a pillow
to the head of faith! David lies down, His sleep is sweet. He arises
with renewed strength. But deeper truth sounds in these words. Jesus calmly
falls asleep. The new-made grave receives Him to its bed. On the third day
He casts off sleep. He appears and testifies, God did not leave My soul in
hell, nor suffer His Holy One to see corruption. So, also, believers fall
asleep in Him. Short is the night of death. Soon shall they awake and shout,
"O grave! where is your victory? O death! where is your sting?"
6. "I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who
surround
me on every side."
Faith is a fearless grace. It has quick ears to hear the
voice of Heaven. It quickly catches the often repeated word, "Fear not, for
I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Let man come on,
boastful of numbers, and vain-glorious in the arm of flesh; faith meets the
hosts, strong in the Lord, making mention only of His name. The victory is
sure. Jesus never lost a battle. No follower of His will ever fall.
7. "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God; for You have
smitten all my enemies upon the jaw; You have broken the teeth of the
ungodly."
Grace marvelously works. It begets fearless confidence.
And confidence begets increasing prayer. Trust knows no fear, and shuns
presumptuous indolence. It grows more importunate in prayer. It gives no
rest to God. It knows its safety; and therefore it cries, "Save me, O my
God." Past experience supplies both arguments and hope. You have brought
shame and confusion on all vaunting foes; therefore, now arise and save.
8. "Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing is
upon Your people."
Triumphant is the final chorus. It tells of God rich in
salvation. Salvation is His property. He willed it. He provided it. He holds
it. He gives it according to His sovereign purpose. It is deliverance from
every peril. It is exaltation to the heights of heaven. His blessing ever
rests upon His people. It gives them all things and never fails. Lord, save
us, and we shall be saved. Bless us, and we shall be blessed! Amen.