Morning Prayer of Trust in God
Text: Psalm 3
Thesis: To prove that God is willing and able to help His own
Introduction:
(1) This psalm is “an individual lament psalm in which the main speaker expresses confidence in personal and individual deliverance” (VanGemeren, EBC 72).
(2) It has been suggested that Psalm 3 is a morning psalm and Psalm 4 is an evening psalm (Keil and Delitzsch 1:100), but, regardless, “Yaweh’s protection and goodness are available, whether in the morning or the evening” (VanGemeren 72).
(3) One commentator calls this psalm a “royal protective psalm” (Craige, WBC 71).
(4) The sentiments in this psalm are closely akin to those found in “imprecatory psalms” (e.g., Psalm 10).
(a) These psalms cry out for justice to be brought upon wicked men.
(b) Any person who is an enemy of God’s people is an enemy of God.
(c) These psalms are written by inspiration.
(d) “It must be remembered that such expressions of wrath, with the desire and anxiousness of the writer that the enemy feel that wrath, is in accord with the previous guarantee of God that the wicked will so be rewarded” (Jackson, The Book of Psalms Vol. 1, p. 14).
(5) We shall look at 3 main points in this “morning prayer”:
Discussion:
I. The Condition Described (vv. 1-2):
A. It is believed that David, through inspiration, penned this psalm during the time when he was fleeing from Absalom, his son (2 Sam. 15-18) (VanGemeren 74).
B. Regardless, this psalm was written during some difficult times.
1. There were many adversaries.
2. They were rising up against the psalmist.
3. They were mocking the psalmist and his God.
C. Times have not changed and we today may find ourselves being overwhelmed by outside opposition.
II. The Confidence Expressed (vv. 3-6):
A. The psalmist has complete confidence in his God (v. 3).
1. His confidence rested in the nature of God and utilizes the metaphor “shield” in order to express his belief that he was placing “himself under the protection of the Great King, who has promised to protect his own” (VanGemeren 75).
2. The power of the Great King is referred to by the word “glory,” which “signifies the Lord’s glorious rule over his kingdom” (75).
3. The lifting of the head is a Hebraism expressive of confidence in the Lord (75).
B. The psalmist has absolute assurance in his God’s ability to hear and answer prayer
(v. 4).
C. The psalmist has total trust in God’s care (v. 5).
1. One cannot help but be reminded of similar descriptions as in Psalm 23.
2. Song: Anywhere with Jesus
D. The psalmist has visions of victory when focused upon his God (v. 6).
1. “Although encirclement now intensifies the treat, he can confidently face the worst” (Kidner, Tyndale p. 55).
2. If the psalmist is David, then he has had such victories before (e.g., Goliath – 1 Sam. 17).
3. As Paul told us, “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Rom. 8.31).
III. The Cry Made (vv. 7-8):
A. “Here he calls for deliverance […] as he petitions God to prove his adversaries wrong” (VanGemeren 78).
1. “The striking of the enemies on the jaw is an expression of humiliation” (78).
2. “The metaphor of the breaking of teeth likens the enemies to wild animals whose strength is taken away when their teeth are crushed” (78).
3. The psalmist “is putting before us the hope that, regardless what enemies may arise from within or without the kingdom of God, God will be victorious” (78).
B. When will the deliverance take place?
1. Maybe immediately, but maybe not.
2. The point is “it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you” (2 Thess. 1.6).
3. As Paul told us, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom. 12.19).
C. Listen to what one wrote (qtd. in Cotham, The Book of Psalms Vol. 1 p. 34):
Be not dismayed what’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,
Thro’ ev’ry day, O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
Conclusion:
(1) God cares about you and He is willing and able to help you at all times.
(2) Always turn to the Lord and He will not let you down, but be patient with Him as He works things out on His time schedule and not necessarily according to your time schedule.
