Psalm 3:5
This Psalm was written and offered up to God when David was fleeing from his own son, Absalom, who had risen up in conspiracy against David to take away, not only his crown, but also his very life. The background for this Psalm is found in 2 Samuel chapters 15-19. Here again, we see that out of evil, good can come. When people viciously conspire against us and even when evil is set and determined against us, we can triumph. The truth is, we can always triumph by placing our faith and confidence in God.
Here, David was now in great grief as he ascended the Mount of Olives. According to the Scriptures he wept greatly, with his head covered, as he marched barefoot up the mountain. It was a most horrible experience for him – the old King driven out of his own kingdom, grief-stricken, marching up the mountain barefoot (2 Samuel 15:30). However, it is as a result of this horrifying experience that this memorable Psalm – Psalm 3, was composed for our reflection and edification.
One of the powerful lessons we learn from this moving Psalm is that we have the assurance, that in deep distress, as we commit our ways unto the Lord, our prayer will be heard. Here, it was not just a case of people rising up against David, but his own son, whom he loved dearly. Yet, instead of wishing him dead and seeking cruel vengeance against him, David seeks for a way to spare Absalom and to somehow preserve his life (2 Samuel 18:5). David prays, seeks God’s face, weeps and after earnestly praying and travailing, he genuinely seems to leave the matter in God’s hands. May God help us to yet achieve this level of spirituality in our own walk with Him, seeking the safety and welfare even of our worst enemies and haters.
It cannot be dismissed that David is more than troubled. He is perplexed by the seemingly sudden evil turn of events in his kingdom and in his own immediate family. This is brought out in the very wording of this prayerful, almost mournful Psalm. It builds to a climax in verse 4 when David exclaims, “I cried unto the Lord, with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill”(3:4). However, the reader is virtually shocked when David declares after this, “I laid me down and slept, I awaked; for the Lord sustained me”(Psalm 3:5). First of all, the burning question is, how do you sleep when your whole world has suddenly turned upside down and there is trouble not just on the outside, but inner turmoil rages, making it most difficult to pray and even worship?
Yet this is exactly what David does. He weeps! He prays! He worships, and He then evidently leaves the rest in God’s hands. Church, in fact, that is all we can really do – weep, pray the best we can, worship, and then by His grace, lay down and sleep! Frankly, believe me, there is nothing more you can do, but pray and leave it in the hands of the Lord. Losing sleep over it, really does not help. Lying awake all night and stressing ourselves out, amounts to no good in any way. Pray and leave it in the hands of God! Let us take a lesson from this man after God’s own heart – “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). Things will look better in the morning, as the rest of the Psalm attests (verse 6-8). King David definitely views things from a different perspective when he awakes in the morning. Don’t lose sleep over it!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
