Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
    so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
    “God will never rescue him!” Interlude[a]

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude

5 I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

7 Arise, O Lord!
    Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
    Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. Interlude

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Note: the editor of the Psalms gives us the back story for this psalm. The story can be found in 2 Samuel 14 v 25 to 2 Samuel 19 v 40.

Questions:

1. What is striking about David’s attitude, especially to Absolom, at this dangerous time?

2. Verse 1: do you know times when everyone seems against you? Does it lead you to doubt whether God will rescue you?

3. Verse 2: David puts an interlude (or pause for thought) after recognising that many are saying “God will never rescue him”. Why do you think that David does this?

4. Verse 3: how does David’s assertions in this verse counter his concerns expressed in verse 1?

5. Verse 4: why does David highlight that the Lord’s answer came from his holy mountain?

6. Verse 4: again David puts an interlude (or pause for thought) at the end of verse 4. What do you think David is hoping that the reader will take time to consider?

7. Verse 5: read 2 Samuel 15 verses 13 to 17 and think about what David was facing. Verse 5 of Psalm 3 suggests that David had a calmer mindset than we might consider from the back story. What do you think has made the difference for David?

8. Verse 6: you are probably not facing 10,000 trained enemy soldiers, but what are you confronting that you want the Lord to join you in facing? With his help, can you see yourself facing it without some level of fear?

9. Verse 7: have you asked the Lord to come and join you in your challenges and to rescue you from them? Do you have faith (even a small amount) that he can and will rescue you?

10. Verse 8: David suggests an interlude or pause to reflect that it is the Lord who brings victory and blessing. Take time to take this in.