A Study Of Psalm 3 And 4 Series

A Study of Psalm 3 and 4

Psalm 3-4

Introduction

- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period

- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning

- We are currently in book 1, Psalm 1-41, then will move to something else

- There are psalms of wisdom, royal psalms, lament psalms, & thanksgiving

- There are also psalms of pilgrimage and enthronement (majesty of God) psalms

- If we determine to apply ourselves, this could be a life changing study

- We are in a tough time for our church; believe that God is still at work

- I want us, as a church, to ask and see if we can’t rejoice more

- We ought to be able to praise, and prayerfully you will want more daily

- Read Psalm 3-4 / Pray

Point 1 – Psalm 3 (Trust in God)

- Something to note here is that both of these Psalms were written by David

-- Both of these have the back story of David being forced from his palace

-- Absalom (David’s son) has won over the hearts of the country

-- In doing so … he has and thrown David from power; coup d'état

- David’s problems

• Many foes resist him (1); David proclaims so many are against him

• Many foes ridicule him (2); Even his faithful have turned from him

- This is a critical setup to the next few verses

-- “Lord, where are those who used to walk with me in support?”

- “Selah” is written in (v2, 4, 8) as a musical pause; consider what’s been said

-- APP: Marinate on what you’ve just read, let it sink in; re: David’s question

- David’s protection

• God is my shield (3a); proclamation of battle, who protest him?

• God is my sovereign (3b); proclamation of eternity; where is his faith?

• God is my strength (3c); proclamation of ability; how can I fight?

• God is my savior (4); proclamation of certainty; I am His!

- Selah: consider repeating this for yourself when you are in a battle

-- APP: Who do you rely on for your strength and comfort?

- David’s peace

• God sustains me (5); My favorite verse … I can sleep at night (expound)

• God secures me (6); There is nothing else I need; God is sovereign

- Where do you find your strength? Who is your provider? Where’s your faith?

-- David’s plea is direct, firm, and without end. GOD is his every need!

-- So, he asks God to do something bold and specific …

- David’s petition

• Rise up, Lord (7a); this is a battle cry … let’s go to work, Lord!

• Rescue me, Lord (7b); fight the battle for me; defeat my enemies

• Restore us, Lord (8); God, you are my victor … rescue us now

- HUGE: From trouble comes confidence … IF your faith is secure in God

-- Rom 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

-- David’s proclamation is that God is all he needs; not his own strength

-- Paul states the same in Romans 8; it is God’s purpose we are drawn together

Point 2 – Psalm 4 (Calm my soul, Lord)

- We must have confidence that God’s authority is over everything

-- Psalm 4 is written at the end of a tough and anxious filled day (see Psalm 3)

-- Notice how David’s focus becomes Godward, and inward directed

- IMP: David is NOT about to have a pity party … but prays for more of God

- CHALLENGE: Perhaps this could be how you might end a tough day?

- David’s request

• God, answer me (1a); Lord, hear me … relieve and have mercy

- Please comfort me (assurance) because I know that you hear my prayer

-- David’s righteousness is being asserted here … he knows God hears him

-- Therefore, his prayer is very specific in verse 1 (should be ours as well)

- David’s rebuke

• Men shame me (2); speaks directly of what the currently state is

- Notice that the world is falling apart God; these choose wickedness over you

• God sanctifies me (3); David is speaking about his enemies about God

- APP: Even in his defeat, he proclaims that God will STILL be victorious

-- Because of God’s incredible faithfulness, he still hears David’s cry to Him

- So, David gets very specific in his prayer ABOUT those against Him

-- APP: Pay very close attention to the way David does this … great example

-- We too ought to learn how to pray for those against us as well