Psalm 3 Pt. 2

Good morning Dear Ones!

Another work week has begun for many of you. It is important to do all things heartily as unto the Lord when we work for someone. The Christian should set the example of being the very best worker in terms of productivity and quality. The Christian should be a problem solver not a complainer.

The ethical behavior of the Christian employee should be impeccable. May I encourage each of you who are working? There are many workers today who are shiftless, lazy and who have bad attendance or poor punctuality. The Christian can really stand out by cultivating a good work ethic and seeking to find new ways to bring value to the business. You can glorify God by doing all things heartily.

I am a retiree but my wife and I have stayed very busy doing things for our church family that we could not do when we were still working. The Lord has provided both of us with many areas of ministry opportunities. My knee has slowed me down temporarily but we will both serve and work for our Lord as He grants us strength.


Psalm 3:1-8 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah

Leave our burdens in the Master's hands.

Psalm 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. 

David has done what he needed to do. He pleaded his case to Jehovah and decided to leave it all in His hands. Then, he laid down and experienced a refreshing period of sleep. The text says "I awaked" which is the idea of getting all of the sleep that his body needed and then waking to see things with a fresh attitude and from God's perspective. 

There is a sweet rest for the believer who gives all the problems to Jesus Christ. 

We have one more unique phrase "the LORD sustained me."
Jehovah sustained king David through his much needed period of rest. David gives all the glory to God for watching over him like one of the sheep of His pasture. 

Trusting Jehovah results in a confident heart ready to serve God no matter how bad the outlook may be. 

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about." 

Next we read a phrase that is only used 2 times in the Bible. The text for the second reference is below. The idea is that David fears and loves Jehovah first ahead of all other people, places or things. HIs confidence is in God and he is not afraid of tens of thousand of people arrayed against him on all sides. David knows that the battle belongs to the LORD. 

It is the idea that God can deliver with few or with many. There are several examples where God reduced the size of the army so that the people would know definitively that the victory came from God and not from mere human effort. 

Psalm 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Psalm 56:11  In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

The phrase "Arise, O LORD" is used 7 times in the Bible and 6 of those are in the book of Psalms. David is exercising faith and requesting that Jehovah act against his enemies because they have profaned His sacred name. God's honor should also be of great importance to every Christian. 

Another example is in the text below to show us how the words were used in prayer. God's glory must come first and the enemies must be judged. That is the essence of their cry. 

Psalm 7:6  Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

David then asks Elohim to save him. He speaks of judgement upon his enemies as if it had already been accomplished. The word "save' is a word that means bringing someone out of the tight confines of hostilities and pressures and leading them into a broad pasture with plenty of room, food and water. 



David looked toward Jehovah because he recognized that he was weak, his strength was insufficient and his spirit wounded by their threats against him. David looked to Jehovah the source of his life and the sustainer of his life. 

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

David's prayer concludes with another statement of what he knows to be true of Jehovah. Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Both phrases of this closing verse are unique. 

Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who came to save all sinners. Salvation is exclusively through Christ alone. 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Jehovah is the source of all blessings.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.


Points to Ponder.....

• There is only one name given among men whereby we must be saved-the name of Jesus Christ. Thus, salvation belongs to Jehovah.

• There is only One, True, Living God of Heaven and our Father is the source of all blessings. 

• King David shows us we must be content to give our burdens to Jehovah and trust Him.

• There is the promised blessing of rest when we leave the pressing matters in His loving hands.

May we Christians begin to absorb and apply these precious lessons from this Psalm of David. Our God can supply all our needs. Our God is bigger than all of our problems and issues, and He cares about each one of the sheep of His pasture!

Bob