Read Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7 Arise, Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Go Deeper
In Psalm 3 we see a transformation take place. David begins by explaining his current circumstances: he has many foes, many are rising up against him, and many are saying that God will not deliver him. From the outside looking in, David has every reason to be terrified—he is totally alone, with no ally in sight, enemies surrounding and encroaching in from all directions. But then something happens. He remembers who he’s talking to. David says “but You… are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” After remembering who God is and setting his mind on truth, David’s perspective changes. He declares that he will not fear no matter how many thousands go against him. David’s circumstances didn’t necessarily change, but his mindset did. The transformation wasn’t external, but internal.
The process we see David go through in this Psalm is something we see taught and modeled throughout the Bible. Scripture encourages us often to take every thought captive and to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. We’re directed to set our minds on things above. Focusing on truth allows us to view our circumstances here on earth with a Christ-centered perspective. When we do that, while our circumstances may not change, our attitude about them does.
Maybe we need to take a lesson here from David. What are your foes? Who is rising up against you today? What situation are you in that seems downright impossible? Take it to God. Give your circumstances proper perspective, frame them in the lens of truth, and allow God to remind you of who He is and what He can do. Your situation may not change overnight, but perhaps you’ll be changed in the process.
Questions
- Do you struggle to take your thoughts captive? What does that even mean?
- What is a circumstance facing you that seems impossible to you right now?
- What is a promise in Scripture about God that can reframe your perspective on that situation?
Did You Know?
The phrase “Arise, O LORD” recalls the words of Moses when he used this phrase as Israel broke ground in the wilderness (Numbers 10:35). Arise, O LORD is a military phrase, calling on God to both defend Israel and lead them to victory.
3 responses to “Psalm 3”
“Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!”( V1)
Of all foes, I can imagine how heartbreaking it would be if one were my son. Absalom seeks to overthrow David as king and take his throne. Scripture records that doesn’t end well for Absalom and David grieves deeply for him. David’s lament reminds us that whatever we’re facing is no match for our God who is a shield, sustainer, and deliverer.
David is a man after God’s own heart, yet we see that he still has fears, anxiety, and trouble with relationships. BUT GOD was with him and delivered him from them all. But it was when David came to God asking for help in those particular areas of need. David believed God and was transformed by the renewing of his mind. I am so thankful to see how God worked then but what we have now is so much greater. We are no longer under the law but under grace. We just have to step out in that freedom. It is no longer a duty but hopefully it is a desire to want what God wants, making our obedience an expression of Love.
God thank You for what Your son accomplished on my behalf. Thank You that He was willing to take the sins of the world so that we can have life eternal with You. God thank You for it being a constant desire to want what You want and the way I can express that is by obedience to Your word. You give me all the answers to my questions in Your word. Thank You for being able to pray these over myself and others.
Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. As I call out to the Lord and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
This is seeking, You, God to find You and to have You to answer me, to deliver me and to bless me and others because of what they see You doing in my life . God today in these minutes of this day, thank You for delivering me and shielding me from my enemies in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.”
My first thought when reading this was “who has time to write a psalm when you’re fleeing for your life?!”
Maybe in those times when I feel like I’m in battle, I too should stop and write something to God!