The heading of the psalm links it with the brief period in David’s reign when he had to leave Jerusalem because of the rebellion led by his son Absalom. Maybe the psalm reveals David’s meditations as each day of the rebellion passed, or perhaps David composed the psalm shortly after the rebellion was over.
It is clear from verses 1 and 2 that the rebellion had popular support, making it necessary for David to flee from the city for safety. Obviously, he faced a crisis allowed in divine providence by his God. The psalm tells us his response to an unexpected situation.
What did David do? There was no thought of him at that time of abdicating from the position that the Lord had given him as king over God’s people. Instead, he spoke to the Lord about his new circumstances. Bringing circumstances to God is a basic response of a troubled believer, and David shows us how to respond in such times. We must carry on with our calling even when unpopular and seemingly about to disappear.
First, David did not forget the special name of God revealed to his people Israel. He is always Yahweh, the unchangeable God of the covenant, whom David mentions six times in the psalm, but not in a manner of pointless repetition. Moreover, we as Christians know that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the unchangeable God of the covenant. Adoring and loving mention of the divine name gives strength to one’s heart especially when some may question his faithfulness to his servants.
Second, David told God about the situation, giving his assessment of the numbers opposing him and detailing the words used in their assessment of him (vv. 1-2). They imagined that there was strength in a considerable number of followers, but David knew that was to lean on very fragile support. Still, he realised that he could and should tell his God about them. It is the same with us. We inform him not because he is ignorant but because he is interested.
Third, in his prayer David recounted to God what he was sensing the Lord was doing for him (v. 3). Normally, one can only hold a shield in one direction, but here David sees himself as surrounded by God acting as a shield from attacks from all directions, reminding us that God can deal with enemies that we cannot see, no matter from what direction they are coming at us, including from behind. The Lord was also David’s glory, the One on whom he depended, and he knew that the Lord would restore him to his throne. As David Dickson wrote, ‘God is a counter comfort in all calamity, our shield in danger, our glory in shame, the lifter up of our head in dejection.’
Fourth, David did not whisper his petitions. Instead, he cried them very loudly, not because God is deaf, but maybe because David wanted to drown out other voices from his mind. And since they were loud cries, he knew that others with him would also hear them.
Fifth, the loud cry ‘is, as always, followed, if not by an immediate answer, by immediate hearing, and that “out of His holy hill”, from between the cherubim. The answer may be delayed – for reasons connected with His Providence or our sanctification; but the “hearing” is immediate, and the assurance of this is like the Master's “Peace, be still,” on the storm-tossed sea of Galilee’ (Edersheim).
David prayed until he realised that the Lord had heard him, although the restoring to his throne had not yet occurred (v. 4). He does not say how he knew that was the case, but he does say that he knew it was the case. His experience is like Alexander Moody Stuart’s advice on prayer – ‘pray until you pray and pray until you know you are heard.’
David looked towards Mount Zion as he prayed because that was where God’s dwelling place was in Jerusalem (v. 4). He knew that God is omnipresent (Psalm 139), but he also knew that the Lord reveals himself graciously in special places. The outcome was that David had a relaxing sleep. His response must have encouraged the few followers with him. Where is our Mount Zion? In heaven, where the ascended Christ reigns, and we look there for him to answer our prayers here. When he does, we can rest in him and so become an encouragement for others who need strengthening.
Sixth, after his rest, David resumed his prayer (v. 5). He had not lost his confidence in God by sleeping. Indeed, he regarded his slumber as evidence of God looking after him, giving him rest. Having rested in the Almighty, he could calmly view the massed ranks of his opponents without fear even although they had surrounded him to destroy him (v. 6). In his prayer, he asked for divine intervention, and verse 7 suggests that God dealt quickly and decisively with the opponents.
Seventh, having experienced divine deliverance from the rebellion, David resumed his place as king over God’s people (v. 8). The desire of his heart longed for them to have ongoing divine blessing. One of the consequences of his restoration would be the spiritual prosperity of God’s people. What had seemed to be a tragedy had led to a period of spiritual prosperity through his prayers. David did suffer a heavy personal loss in the death of rebellious Absalom, but he recognised that God had worked out his plan for his people.
Since the days of the early church, many writers have regarded Psalm 3 as revealing the mind of Jesus at the time of his arrest. Rejected by his opponents as the Messiah, he only had a few followers. Yet strengthened by communion with God in Gethsemane he went ahead to the cross determined to overcome the united opposition to his kingdom. After suffering there and completing the task of deliverance, clearly displayed in his resurrection, he went to the place of glory from where he blesses his people.
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