Psalm 3 — Peace for Sleep

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

1 LORD, how are mine adversaries increased!
Many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul,
There is no help for him in God. Selah

3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me;
My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cry unto the LORD with my voice,
And he answereth me out of his holy hill. Selah

5 I laid me down and slept;
I awaked; for the LORD sustaineth me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people,
That have set themselves against me round about.
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 wicked.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD:
Thy blessing be upon thy people. Selah

This psalm speaks realities and truths hard for an afflicted soul to believe. When our adversaries have increased around us or when they claim to see our lack or loss in salvation, it is easy for us to believe their words. It is easy to interpret little mistakes as spiritual failures. It can be easy to connect problems around us to what's going on inside of us.

David prepared himself for moments like these by remembering key ideas about God. God was his protector and deliverer. When everyone around David would let him down, God would continue to lift his head.

The setting for the psalm is when Absalom, David's son, managed a quick grab of the kingdom. David was on the run and facing complete loss. Yet, David states that he had enough peace in God for sleep. When we remember that God lifts our head and protects us, we too can sleep and rest assured. We can trust that God will strike the enemy and that we will be protected by him.