THE HURTING MAN, Psalms 3:1-8

I. INTRODUCTION: Reading Psalms chapter three will be helpful for anyone who reads it during times of distress. Nothing in David’s life was more impossible for him to handle than the events that caused him to write this song! It is hard to image that anyone will go through what David went through, but it is also hard to image anyone who will not go through some kind of experience but what this Psalm will be helpful. Become familiar with Psalms chapter three – you will find it helpful. Learn to lean on the Lord at all times, but certainly do so during your most difficult days.

II. A PSALM FOR TIMES OF DISTRESS, 3:1-2

A. This Psalm is associated with Absalom’s rebellion against his father David, II Samuel 15-17.

1. Absalom had plotted against and killed his brother, Amnon for raping their half sister, Tamar, II Samuel 13.

2. David finally forgave Absalom, II Samuel 14.

3. Absalom rebelled against his father, David, and carried out an overthrow of David’s kingdom, II Samuel 15.

4. David was in hiding from the combined armies of Absalom when he learned the lesson of Psalm chapter three, II Samuel 16, 17.

5. When Absalom was killed and David went in a time of great grief, II Samuel 18.

B. Both David and Christ had to cross over the Kedron brook during times when Israel was in rebellion, II Samuel 15:23 cf John 18:1.

C. This is a Psalm of complaint, conspiracy and calamities.

D. Absalom’s army against David, 3:1, as the crowd increased against our Lord before His crucifixion. They were both forsaken by all but a faithful few. The extent of the rebellion was a surprise to David, but anticipated by Christ. Be careful what and who you join yourself to in life.

E. The crowd gave up on David, causing him to be sick in his soul. They declared that God had also given up on him and there was no help available, 3:2.

F. Be very careful when you hear people who speak for God! God alone will choose who He wants to bless and if He does, no one can stop Him! People are in a hurry to write others off the list of God’s blessings.

G. When they said, "There is no help for Him in God." they totally misunderstood the whole subject of grace. God receives the repentant person.

H. The judgments of men are not infallible, even though some may seem to think they are.

I. "Selah" is used 3 times in this chapter and 73 times in the rest of the book of Psalms. It is used as a musical term that means to rest, tune up, lift the strain, sing more loudly, pitch the tune higher, -- there is something coming that is more noble and important! We might say, "Amen".

III. A PSALM FOR IMPLORING AID FROM GOD, 3:3-4

A. David’s hope for victory was in God’s granting him aid. Absalom’s hope was in his own power and the strength of his army. Learn from this Psalm that trusting in God for help is one of the very greatest experiences of a believer’s life.

B. David had no confidence in himself in the circumstances of this Psalm, but he had total confidence in God. David understood that God was his shield of protection against any opposition and that God alone could and would be the one to lift up his head and give him courage. When we do things our own way, God often lets us experience the consequences.

C. Every believer must learn that God can provide assurance in difficult circumstances. If fact, it is in the difficult circumstances that we learn to trust God in an increased faith.

D. Difficult times are not necessarily hard times; they are just hard times to go through. Hard times often come out to our advantage.

E. David wept when he ascended the Mount of Olives and so did Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.

F. Never be so broken that you cannot cry out to God and implore His aid in your life. Faith and character are really only developed during hard times. Anyone can trust God when everything is going well. Easy-times are often all that preachers predict. This message may enlarge the crowd, but not the soul.

G. God heard David’s plea for help. Prayer is never in vain. God graciously hears and answers our prayers.

H. The "holy hill" in this text is the location of God’s Ark of Covenant, Mount Zion-- Jerusalem.

I. The believer is a chosen person to God, part of God’s family and expected to have confidence in God in even the small matters as well as major ones.

J. The "shield" is a figure of protection that God provided around David. The believer is also assured of God’s aid in the most difficult of circumstance.

K. "My glory" demonstrates that David’s entire source of comfort was found in the greatness of God.

L. David knew that his prayers were heard by God. Prayer, no matter how seemingly unimportant, is heard and answered by God.

IV. A PSALM FOR ANTICIPATING RELIEF, 3:5-6

A. David expressed an incredible steadfast mind by being able to sleep soundly during the danger of a disloyal army hunting him.

B. During flight, David had peace by realizing that God Himself was sufficient resources for his problems. This is what faith is all about, trusting God even when you do not know how everything will work out!

C. This is a Psalm of courage and composure during conflict.

D. The reason for David’s freedom from anxiety was the knowledge that God would sustain him. His "outlook" was bad, but his "in look" and "up look" was good.

E. David knew that tens of thousand of enemies could do him no harm since God had promised to protect him.

F. Always rise about the weakness of the flesh by taking refuge in God’s promises. Nothing replaces the loving care from our Lord.

V. A PSALM FOR OFFERING PRAISE, 3:7-8

A. David praised God for the assurance of victory over his enemies. This is a Psalm of confidence and conquest.

B. When God gives assurance of an answer to our prayers, it is vital that we return praise to Him.

C. God becomes concerned when His children are under pending danger. He will always accompany His people during times of stress.

D. The term, "broken teeth" speaks of depriving the enemy of its power to injure David.

E. Salvation, deliverance from sin and situations has its source in God, Jonah 2:9.

APPLICATION: What should a believer do during times of distress? 1) implore aid from God, 2) anticipate assistance from God , 3) offer praise and 4) go on your way.