Terror and Trust Psalm 3

Fleeing From Absalom
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

This psalm is given a context of David crying out to God when his son had rebelled against him. At this time in David’s life, not only did his son reject and battle against him, but a good portion of his own nation, whom he had protected and ruled over justly for many years, rebelled against him and tried to kick him out of his kingship. It was a completely unjust act against a ruler who had done what was right to his people.
It is possible that this psalm was not actually written during that time, but was written to be stated in that context. There is nothing in the psalm that indicates the context, and is actually a prayer that could be used in many different situations.

My Enemies Have Increased
O Yahweh, how my enemies have increased!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance from God for him." (Selah)

Everyone has enemies. Perhaps we may not know who they are, but at the least there are people who avoid us or say nasty things about us behind our backs. But the psalmist is not speaking of a time when we feel bad that we have enemies at all, but the enemies that hate us have gotten bolder and have accumulated more comrades who will attack us with them. Then, not only do they speak against us, but they also say that God is opposed to us as well. They say that we are separated from God and that our prayers will not be heard.
These enemies could be any sort of people. They could be those who raise up a physical attack, such as what David had to face. They could be people who speak evil against us, and tries to divide our friends from us. They could be people who are attacking our faith, saying that we are stupid to believe in God. And any and all of these could either be human or spiritual persons—even a demonic attack which is trying to separate us from God. Enemies even within our own mind.

God Sustains Me
But You, O Yahweh, are a shield about me
My glory, the One who lifts my head.
I cry aloud to Yahweh
And He answers me from his holy mountain (Selah)
I lay down and sleep;
I awake for Yahweh sustains me
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around

The psalmist is confident in God’s protection. Yahweh is a shield, he says, so that nothing can attack him from any side. God is the one who lifts the head, so that one need not be depressed about circumstances any more. All the psalmist has to do is to call out loud to Yahweh and God answers from his temple on Mt. Zion. The psalmist confidently sleeps, even with enemies all about him, because Yahweh is keeping him safe and makes sure that he awakes safely. No matter how many enemies attack him, the psalmist is not afraid of any of them, because God is on his side.
It is a great and comforting thing to know that God is watching over us. God is the most powerful force in the universe, and so if He is watching over you, then there is nothing that can attack you or cause you fear. To know that God is on your side is the greatest answer to anxiety, because God has the ability to cause all things go well for His—and your—sake.

I Cry Aloud To Yahweh
Rise up, Yahweh
Save me, O my God!
You strike the cheek of all my enemies
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked
Deliverance belongs to Yahweh
May your blessing be on your people! (Selah)

Even as the psalmist has said above that God would help if the psalmist calls, so the psalmist actually does this now. He confidently tells God to come and to assist him. He calls Yahweh to action to offer him deliverance. The psalmist recognizes his helpless place and so he calls on God to strengthen his position. The enemies—the ones around him, the ones speaking against him, the ones in his own head—he asks to be vanquished, completely, by God. God is the one who delivers the oppressed. As the oppressed, the psalmist requests—no, even demands!—God’s assistance. Then, assured of God’s assistance, he offers a note of confidence in God’s character that He will help his own.
One of the main characteristics of this psalm is the writer’s confidence in God. Yes, he recognizes his terrible situation, but he is absolutely assured of God’s strength and of God’s desire to help him. This is a part of faith—the confidence that is with one who really knows God. If we know who God really is, and have seen God assist us, we can be confident in any situation, no matter how difficult.

Lean on God and He will be your strength