Psalm Chapter 3

Psalms Chapter 3 #Messiah #RoyalOne #Davidline #JesusTheKingOfKings #UltimateRuler (Unless otherwise cited the scriptural references in these devotionals are from the King James Version of the Bible found on http://www.Biblegateway.com – Public Domain edition.)

Research on Psalms

Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti (from here on noted as MRG) (2011) posit that there are unique psalms that delineate the Davidic line (518). These psalms are called “Royal psalms” (ibid).

Royal psalms. The Psalter places great emphasis on God’s rule over His creation and His covenant nation in particular. These psalms focus on the king of Israel and depict him as God’s representative through whom He rules over His chosen people. They refer to the king and also present him as the anointed one ( mašîah—Psalms 2, 18, 20, 45, 89, 132). These psalms present God’s intentions for all the descendants of David who would rule over God’s servant nation (MRG 518).

Childs proposes that these psalms are “a witness to the messianic hope which looked for the consummation of God’s kingship through his Anointed One” (Childs 1979, 517).

Royal psalms draw attention to the anointed king who belongs to the line of David (Psalms 89, 132; cf. 2 Samuel 7). Some of the psalms refer to some high point in the monarch’s reign, such as his coronation (Psalm 2), his wedding (Psalm 45) or his going into battle (Psalms 20, 144), as well as his anticipated coming in conquest (Psalm 110) and his glorious reign (Psalm 72).

These psalms set a high standard for every Davidic descendant who would become king. They envision an “ideal Davidic ruler.” In addition to focusing on different key periods of a king’s reign, they place great emphasis on this king’s unflinching commitment to ruling with justice and compassion over his subjects (see Psalm 72 in particular). However, no Davidic descendant measured up to this divine standard. This “nonfulfillment” in the reigns of all the Davidic kings who ruled over Israel created an expectation of some future king who might rule in this manner. So although these psalms refer to the human Davidic rulers who would rule over Israel they pave the way for a “messianic” expectation. Their anticipation of an ideal Davidic king eventually led to a messianic anticipation that found fulfillment in Jesus. (MRG 518)

Psalms Chapter 3

1 Authorship confirmed (A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom (See 2 Samuel 15) his son.) LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

If one remembers the story of David and Bathsheeba they will remember that Nathan prophecied over David.“Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret [his adultery with Bathsheba was in secret], but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel’” (2 Samual 12:11-12). Now here is the fulfillment of this prophecy..2 Samuel 16:15-23 (NLT) Ahithophel Advises Absalom “Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. “Long live the king!” he exclaimed. “Long live the king!”“Is this the way you treat your friend David?” Absalom asked him. “Why aren’t you with him?”“I’m here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord and by all the men of Israel,” Hushai replied. “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!”Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, “What should I do next?”Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.” So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines.Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God. God’s word is sure and true. It never fails. So now we understand why David wrote this verse in this psalm. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. David felt alone. Shimei came out and cursed him. His trusted servant went against him. But didn’t the same thing happen to Jesus too?

3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

David acknowledges the source of His strength. ” Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil [the original Greek states ‘the evil one].” In his case, this was not just about his enemies. A prophecy was coming about in His life. How do we know that? This is what he said to Shimei.

Shimei Curses David:2 Samuel 16 NIV

⁵As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. ⁶He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. ⁷As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! ⁸The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”⁹Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” ¹⁰But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’” ¹¹David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.¹²It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” ¹³So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. ¹⁴The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. Knowing the history behind the psalms makes it come to life for us.

4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Have you ever been so distressed that you did not know what to do? David did many times.

When Saul was determined to kill him! I Sam 19: 18-21 “When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.” When famine swept the land of Israel and he did not know what to do but pray. God revealed the reason to him. ^“They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.\” (II Sam 21:14). Once again after his battle with the fierce Philistines, he wrote this song of praise. 2Sam 22:4 ““I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.”

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

David knew what we – the called out ones – also know “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phi;4:7). They that wait and rest in Him experience peace. He guards and protects our hearts and minds.

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

We walk and live by faith and not by sight. We have to keep that in the forefront of our minds as the storms of life buttress us. David knew that. The Torah taught him that lesson Leviticus 26:8 (NIV)^“Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.” Psalm 91:5-7 (NIV)You will not fear the terror of night,nor the arrow that flies by day,nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday.A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.The end of our instruction book for life tells us it is not over until the final bell tolls. We know where we are going and we know where our enemies are going too. So walk by faith! God is on our side.Revelation 21:8 (NIV)But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

7 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.

This is the battle cry of the saints. David used this same battle cry, but he also acknowledges the power of God to save his people. We are fortunate because Jesus has saved us from eternal damnation. In Numbers 10:35 (NIV) Moses declared “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered;may your foes flee before you.” Both Moses and David relied on God to render their enemies harmless!

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

Salvation comes only from God. The blood of Jesus paid the price for all of humanity to have access to the throne of grace. 1 John 5:11-12 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.” Paul makes it as clear as possible. Remember now that no one knew the “Law of God” like a Pharisee. Paul was taught at the feet of Gamaliel: The Pharisee above all Pharisees. Jewish teachers of the Torah study Gamaliel’s works even today. What does Paul say about salvation?Romans 5:8 (NIV)^“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”While we refused to acknowledge Him as our Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God – He still died for us. Why do we say this? Surely, The Children of Israel could not possibly be included in the word “all!” Romans 3:23 (NIV) clarifies the truth when Paul – a Pharisee called to share the Gospel with the gentile nations declares“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” The picture below makes it very clear that there was no salvation outside of Jesus

retrieved from “God’s Plan of Salvation” @ Bible.org

There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves.Romans 1:18-3:8His justice and judgment are final. Romans 3:9-10 (NIV)^“What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one;”

BUT! When Jesus-The Messiah-came everything changed.

retrieved from “God’s Plan of Salvation” @ Bible.org