Mystical Psalter: Psalm 3

Psalm 3
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul, "There is no help for him in God."
3 But You, Yahweh, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried to Yahweh with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
5 I laid down and slept; I woke again; for Yahweh sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, Yahweh; save me, O my God: for You have smitten all my enemies upon the cheek; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to Yahweh! Your blessing be upon Your people!

The Hebrew heading of this psalm indicates that it was occasioned by David’s flight from his son Absalom, when he fled to save his life (see 2 Sam. 15:13). At that time, those who troubled him and sought to kill him had increased in number. Wherever David looked, there were many rising up against him, many saying of his soul and life, "There is no help for him in God! God has abandoned him—now is the time for us to act!" Humanly speaking, the situation seemed hopeless.

But David did not cower in fear. Even as he fled, he declared in his heart that Yahweh was a shield for him, and would be his defender. Yahweh was his glory, his boast; He was the lifter of his head, the One who would grant final victory. He cried aloud to Yahweh in prayer, and was confident that He heard him from His holy hill of Zion. It was because of this confidence that he laid down and slept in peace. He would not be assassinated in his sleep. He woke again, for Yahweh sustained him, and guarded his life. Indeed, David would not be afraid even if ten thousands of people set themselves against him round about. Even if he were surrounded on every side by great armies of men, he would emerge safely.

In this confidence he asked Yahweh to arise in judgment, and save him. God had time and time again smitten all his enemies upon the cheek, giving them a deadly blow right in the face, and had broken the teeth of the ungodly, so that they were unable any longer to eat up their innocent prey. David asks Yahweh to do the same for him now. The psalm ends on this note of triumph, as David cries out that salvation and rescue belongs to Yahweh—He is the only One on whom His people should depend for help. Idols were a vain hope. It was through Yahweh that blessing, prosperity and life would come to Israel.

This psalm is one of the Six Psalms of Matins, recited at this morning service because of its reference to lying down in sleep and waking again (v. 5). David had serene confidence in God, even in his darkest hour, and we also can trust in the Lord. Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35). Whatever disasters befall us, whatever stresses threaten to consume our peace, we can find our rest in Him, rising confidently every morning to face the day with joy.

This psalm is also a prophecy of Christ, the Son of David. Many in Israel were rising up against Him too, saying that there was no salvation for Him in God. His foes thought that God had abandoned Him, when they arrested Him and had Him crucified. Christ also laid down and slept—not in slumber but in death, when He was laid in the tomb. Three days later, He woke again, for God indeed sustained Him, and did not allow His flesh to see corruption (Acts 2:31). God lifted up His head in triumph, and exalted Him to His right hand in heaven. It is through Him that Yahweh’s salvation and blessing come to His people.