Psalm 3 – Consequences

• 1^st – The enemies… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – Absalom… vs. 1
    • A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son!
      • PSALM of DAVID – we know WHO wrote the PSALM…
      • LAMENT Psalm – we know WHY David wrote it – crying out the LORD for help…
      • When he FLED from ABSALOM – which tells us WHEN he wrote the PSALM!
    • CONTEXT…
      • This INTRODUCTION to the Psalm is the KEY to understanding it…
      • David had ENEMIES as a CONSEQUENCE of his SIN…
      • The king had an AFFAIR with BATHSHEBA – the wife of URIAH – then murdered him…
      • When he was confronted by NATHAN the prophet – DAVID repented…
      • God FORGAVE him – but told him there would be CONSEQUENCES!
      • II Samuel 12:11 – “Thus says the LORD: Behold – I will raise up adversity against you from your own house…”
      • If we confess our sin – any sin – Jesus will FORGIVE us and make us clean – I John 1:9
      • But FORGIVENESS eternally – does NOT mean there are no CONSEQUENCES now…
      • We often still have to face the RESULTS of our poor choices!
    • ABSALOM…
      • The ADVERSITY – could come from his own son – ABSALOM…
      • ABSALOM [אֲבּישָׁלוֹם] – my FATHER is PEACE – ironic name as he brought WAR…
      • He killed his brother AMNON for raping their sister TAMAR – causing him to be banished…
      • DAVID loved his son – and eventually brought him back to Jerusalem…
      • But he was NOT permitted to see the KING – II Samuel 14:24
      • ABSALOM plotted to overthrow DAVID – and become the new KING – II Samuel 15
      • When DAVID heard – he was forced to FLEE from Jerusalem!
      • We have talked about the STYLE of writing – DOCTRINE / HISTORY / PROPHECY / POETRY
      • Mentioning how they WEAVE together in HARMONY – cross referencing…
      • This is a POWERFUL example of how this ties the Bible together!
      • The HISTORY of the SIN of David – and REBELLION of Absalom…
      • Tie together with the POETRY of Psalm 3 – telling us how David FELT when he FLED…
      • Which we tie together with the DOCTRINE – of consequences and forgiveness…
      • To build a COMPLETE picture of the TRUTH the Bible wants us to understand!
  • 2^nd – No HELP… vs. 1-2
    • Many enemies…
      • LORD – how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me!
      • TROUBLE [צָרָי] – a generic term that can mean ENEMY – TROUBLE – TRIALS…
      • David was not FOCUSED on WHO was giving him trouble…
      • He just noted that there were a LOT of them – How they have INCREASED [perfect]
      • Often – we go through TRIALS – we get caught up in WHO is giving us hard time…
      • But the question we should be asking is WHY – is God allowing it…
      • God uses TROUBLES – to teach us to depend on Him – James 1:2
      • And He can bring as MANY troubles as He need to get our attention!
    • No SALVATION…
      • Many are they who say of me – there is no help for him in God. Selah!
      • NO [אֵין] HELP – from the root word [יְשׁוּעָה] – JESUS will NEVER help him…
      • The people thought God had abandoned DAVID – because of his SIN with BATHSHEBA…
      • But while they were CORRECT the rebellion of ABSALOM was a CONSEQUENCE…
      • That did NOT mean that Jesus had abandoned David!
      • The PUNISHMENT from God – does NOT mean we have been abandoned by God…
      • Just the OPPOSITE – the LORD punishes those whom He LOVES!
      • Hebrews 12:6 – “For whom the LORD loves He chastens…”
    • Rest…
      • SELAH [סֶֽלָה] – to lift up or exalt
      • COMMON notation found at the end of verse in the Psalms…
      • It is thought to mark a BREAK in the WORDS – SILENCE – a REST in the SONG…
      • The FIRST appearance here in the BIBLE is powerful!
      • Even though we have CONSEQUENCES for our SIN – Jesus NEVER abandons us…
      • And in light of that we can be SILENT and have REST!

• 2^nd – The Lord… vs. 3-6
  • 1^st – The SHIELD… vs. 3
    • But You – O LORD – are a shield for me – my glory and the One who lifts up my head!
    • As DAVID fled Jerusalem – his enemies [including Absalom] wanting to KILL him…
    • ASHAMED because everyone KNEW this was because of his SIN…
    • He turned to the LORD – who was his SHIELD – to protect him [physically] 
    • And his GLORY [כָּבוֹד] – the one who took away his SHAME – lifted [hiphil] his head!
    • God does PROTECT us from physical harm – but He also RESTORES us…
    • The LORD can take our MISTAKES – our FAILURES – and bring GLORY from them!
    • Isaiah 63:1 – “To give them beauty for ashes – the oil of joy for mourning…”
  • 2^nd – The ANSWER… vs. 4
    • I cried to the LORD with my voice – and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
    • CRIED [imperfect] – David was CONTINUALLY crying out to the LORD…
    • As a RESULT [sequential] the LORD heard his PRAYER! SELAH!
    • We often give up praying because we do not get a quick answer…
    • We are not to simply pray once – we are to be praying – I Thessalonians 5:17
    • We miss the answer from God simply because we stop asking!
    • God has a book where He records every time we talk about Him – Malachi 1:16
    • The Lord is listening – we just need to be patient and wait for his answer!
  • 3^rd – The PEACE… vs. 5
    • I lay down and slept. I awoke – for the LORD sustained me!
    • David LAY [perfect] down to SLEEP – not knowing if he would see another day…
    • But David was able to WAKE [hiphil] – because God was the one HOLDING him!
    • There was a discussion between TWO counselors of ABSALOM – Ahithophel and Hushai…
    • Ahithophel wanted to chase David immediately – and overtake him in the night…
    • Hushai told ABSALOM to WAIT – which gave time for David to ESCAPE!
    • II Samuel 17:14 – “For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.”
    • People have a LOT of SLEEPLESS night – worrying about their CONSEQUENCES…
    • But we can SLEEP well – have PEACE – when we remember WHO holds us…
    • When – instead of WORRYING – we bring everything to Jesus in PRAYER!
    • Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing – but in everything by prayer… let your requests be made known to God – and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus!”
  • 4^th – Never AFRAID… vs. 6
    • I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around!
    • David was NOT afraid of ABSALOM – or his ARMIES…
    • It did not matter if THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS – surrounded him…
    • No amount of people AGAINST him – could hard him – if the LORD was for him!
    • I can remember as a kid – if a BUNCH of kids were picking on you…
    • You would run and tell your DAD – because he was stronger than ALL the kids!
    • We have a DAD who is bigger – tougher – stronger – and more powerful than everyone…
    • If we know the LORD is on our side – then we have NO fear – Romans 8:31
• 3^rd – The PRAYER… vs. 7-8
  • 1^st – LORD save… vs. 7
    • Arise [imperative] – O LORD – save me – O my God!
    • For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone…
    • You have broken the teeth of the ungodly!
    • SAVE [הוֹשִׁיעֵ] – cause me to be SAVED [hiphil] by striking my enemies…
    • God answered the PRAYER – and delivered ABSALOM into the hands of DAVID!
    • II SAMUEL 18:8-9 – “The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David – and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day… and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”
    • STOP – the WOODS [trees] devoured more people than the SWORD…
    • While we cannot say for certain exactly what means – TREES eating people…
    • God certainly does NOT fight fair – and will ALWAYS win in the END!
  • 2^nd – The blessing… vs. 8
    • Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
    • To the LORD [לַיהוָה] is THE salvation [יְשׁוּעָה] – blessing HIS people…
    • Meaning – ONLY those who belong to the LORD will be SAVED!
    • Though there were times – it might have SEEMED like David was in trouble…
    • He was ALWAYS going to WIN – because he was on the LORDS side!
    • We might not always understand WHY the LORD allows things in our lives…
    • But we can be CERTAIN – that as we TRUST in the LORD – in the end we will have VICTORY!

Psalm 4 – Provision

• 1^st – Hear – O Lord… vs. 1
  • 1^st – Introduction…
    • To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
    • PSALM of DAVID – Psalm written for the people to SING…
    • CHIEF Musician – the one who plays [piel] the music…
    • WISDOM Psalm – how to PRAY to God for PROVISION…
    • David would use PSALMS set to MUSIC to teach people TRUTHS about God!
    • If you have ever had a SONG – get stuck in your head – you know how powerful music can be…
    • This is why we want to be careful what we listen to – the LYRICS matter!
  • 2^nd – Hear my prayer…
    • Hear [imperative] me when I call – O God of my righteousness! 
    • You have relieved me in my distress – have mercy on me – and hear [imperative] my prayer!
    • HEAR when I CALL / PRAY – you are the God who makes me [chose] the RIGHT [צֶדֶק] way…
    • When TROUBLES [צָרָי] come – narrow road – you relieve me – wide road…
    • Literally – when I have FEW options [narrow road] – you give me new ones [widen the road]!
    • We often do NOT know which way to go – we have LIMITED options…
    • So our PRAYER to the LORD – is to who us HIS way – because He has limitless options!

• 2^nd – Set Apart… vs. 2-5
  • 1^st – The LIE… vs. 2
    • How long – O you sons of men – will you turn my glory to shame…
    • How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood! SELAH
    • David asks the question – how long will we IGNORE the ANSWER [כָּבוֹד] of the LORD…
    • Instead choosing to LOVE [imperfect] what is EMPTY and SEEK [piel] a LIE…
    • The EMPTY LIE – is that this WORLD can protect us or provide for us!
    • SELAH – stop for a moment and REFLECT – do we LOVE the world and SEEK the LIE!
    • Ecclesiastes 2:11 – “All is vanity – grasping for the wind. There is no profit under the sun.” 
  • 2^nd – Be HOLY… vs. 3
    • But know [imperative] that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly…
    • The LORD will hear when I call to Him!
    • KNOW [יָדַע] – to SEE – or learn by EXPERIENCE…
    • The LORD has SET APART [hiphil] – to be HOLY [ἅγιος] – those who are GODLY [do good]
    • And the LORD – will ALWAYS [imperfect] hear the prayers of those who are HOLY!
    • Unrepentant sin keeps the Lord from hearing us – leaves prayers unanswered – Psalm 66:18
    • Our prayers hit the ceiling of our sin – and we end up talking to ourselves…
    • But the moment we repent – turn back to Jesus – we will find He is ALWAYS listening!
    • I Peter 3:12 – “The Lords… ears are open to the prayers of those who do right.”
  • 3^rd – Do not sin… vs. 4
    • Be angry [imperative] – and do not sin!
    • Meditate [imperative] within your heart on your bed – and be still [imperative]. SELAH
    • Since we KNOW the LORD will hear the PRAYER of the GODLY…
    • Be ANGRY [excited] – to not DESIRE [jussive] to sin…
    • Even in bed SPEAK to your HEART – be STILL [stop desiring SIN]
    • Because the PROBLEM is our HEART – Jeremiah 17:9
    • SELAH – stop for a moment and LOOK inside – why do we SIN…
    • Why do I do what I know is WRONG – no one forces me to…
    • Why do I NOT do what I know is RIGHT – I could if I chose to…
    • My problem is my heart/desires – I am the problem – I sin because I want to – Romans 7:15
  • 4^th – Trust the LORD… vs. 5
    • Offer [imperative] the sacrifices of righteousness – and put your trust in the LORD!
    • Sacrifice of RIGHTEOUSNESS [צֶדֶק] – to put our FAITH in the LORD…
    • Put it all TOGETHER – if we REJECT the LIE this world can PROVIDE for us…
    • IGNORING the LUSTS of our heart – and instead put our TRUST in the LORD…
    • We will find we are HOLY – set apart – and God will HEAR all our PRAYERS!
    • Romans 12:2 – “Present your bodies a living SACRIFICE – HOLY – acceptable to God… do not be conformed to this world – that you may [know] what is that good and perfect will of God.”

• 3^rd – Provision and protection… vs. 6-8
  • 1^st – The question… vs. 6
    • There are many who say – who will show us any good!
    • People will ALWAYS question if the LORD is the ANSWER…
    • If God PROVIDES – where is the PROOF – show me the GOOD is does to follow the LORD!
  • 2^nd – The Results… vs. 7-8
    • LORD – lift up [imperative] the light of Your [face] upon us!
      • In other WORDS – LORD show us what you can do…
      • SHINE your LIGHT into a lost world – and let them SEE – You are the ANSWER!
    • You have put gladness in my heart – more than in the season their grain and wine increased!
      • When the WORLD is FULL and DRUNK – they think they are HAPPY…
      • But the next day they get HUNGRY again – and SOBER up to see life is the SAME…
      • But [contrast] – the LORD has PUT [perfect] – GLADNESS [joy] in my heart…
      • HAPPY is not the same thing as JOY – HAPPY depends on our circumstances…
      • JOY is far deeper – it is not based on circumstances – it is based on Jesus…
      • Jesus never changes – the same Yesterday / Today / and Forever – Hebrews 13:8
      • No matter what our circumstances – if we have MONEY – or if we are BROKE…
      • We can ALWAYS have JOY because we KNOW Jesus will PROVIDE!
      • Philippians 4:12-13 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty… I can do everything through Christ – who gives me strength.”
    • I will both lie down in peace, and sleep – for You alone – O LORD – make me dwell in safety!
      • In PEACE [בְּשָׁלוֹם] – we can lay down and sleep – have NO fear…
      • Because ONLY the LORD can cause us [hiphil] to be SAFE – Ephesians 2:14
      • Not ONLY do we have JOY in Jesus – KNOWING He will PROVIDE…
      • We also have the confidence – He will also PROTECT – keep us safe from ALL harm…
      • Therefore – the ANSWER to PROVISION and PROTECTION – is Jesus!

Psalm 5 – Guidance

• 1^st – How to PRAY… vs. 1-3
  • 1^st – Introduction…
    • To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David!
    • PSALM of DAVID – Psalm written for the people to SING…
    • CHIEF Musician – the one who plays [piel] the music…
    • FLUTES – ONLY here OT – might mean a wind instrument or a specific TUNE [melody]
    • WISDOM Psalm – how to PRAY to God for GUIDANCE!
  • 2^nd – Three ways… vs. 1-2
    • Give [imperative] ear to my words – O LORD – consider [imperative] my meditation.
    • Give [imperative] heed to the voice of my cry – My King and my God – for to You I will pray!
    • David gives us THREE ways we can come to the LORD in prayer…
    • WORDS – which we ask the LORD to LISTEN [give ear] to – this is conversation with God…
    • MEDIATION – 2x in OT – to ponder something – we ask God to CONSIDER…
    • In other words we are trying to FIGURE something out – and as asking God for GUIDANCE!
    • CRY – to shout out to God [perhaps in frustration] – to get His ATTENTION…
    • Because He is our KING – the one who has authority over us – God – who created us…
    • If ANYONE can tell us what to do – where to go – it is the LORD!
  • 3^rd – In the MORNING… vs. 3
    • My voice You shall hear [imperfect] in the morning – O LORD…
    • In the morning I will direct [imperfect] it to You – and I will look [piel] up!
    • David PRAYED – all THREE ways – every [imperfect] MORNING…
    • Is the MORNING the best time of the day to READ our Bibles – PRAY to the LORD…
    • There is the benefit of STARTING off our day – by spending time with Jesus…
    • But NOT everyone is a MORNING person – some prefer afternoon or evening…
    • It is not about when we seek that Lord – the key is THAT we consistently seek the Lord!
    • Psalm 55:17 – “Evening – morning – and at noon will I pray – and … He shall hear my voice.”

• 2^nd – Why we PRAY… vs. 4-8
  • 1^st – To dwell with God… vs. 4
    • For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness – nor shall evil dwell with You!
    • God does NOT like to be around WICKED people – He will NOT dwell those who are EVIL…
    • Therefore we WANT to SEEK the LORD for His GUIDANCE…
    • Because as we OBEY the LORD – He will come and DWELL with us!
    • John 14:23 – “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”
  • 2^nd – Stand by God… vs. 5
    • The boastful shall not stand in Your sight – You hate all workers of iniquity!
    • Those who PRAISE [הָלַל] themselves – the PROUD – are HATED by the Lord…
    • And they will NEVER [imperfect] be able to STAND in His sight!
    • We SEEK the LORD – because we do NOT have the answers…
    • The moment we think we DO – we are PROUD – and opposed to God!
    • James 4:6 – “God resists the proud – but gives grace to the humble.”
  • 3^rd – Believe in God… vs. 6
    • You shall destroy [piel] those who speak [lies]… 
    • The LORD abhors [piel] the bloodthirsty – deceitful man!
    • We SEEK the LORD – because to think we do not need the LORD is a LIE…
    • And anyone who teaches others NOT to BELIEVE in the LORD – He will utterly DESTROY [piel]
    • Because God LOATHES those who ruin the lives of others by leading them away from God!
    • Luke 17:2 – “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck – and he were thrown into the sea – than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
  • 4^th – For MERCY… vs. 7
    • But as for me – I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy…
    • In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple!
    • BUT [contrast] – I will come BECAUSE of your MERCY – into Your HOUSE…
    • I will WORSHIP – in Your HOLY Temple – in FEAR [reverence]
    • We can COME to the LORD – not because we are BETTER than anyone else…
    • Because of His abundant GRACE [mercy] – we can enter in and WORSHIP Him!
    • Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
  • 5^th – For direction… vs. 8
    • LORD – lead me [imperative] in Your righteousness because of my enemies…
    • Make [imperative] Your way straight before my face!
    • LEAD – to guide or bring someone down the RIGHT [צֶדֶק] path…
    • There are a LOT of paths we can take in life – but we want the path the LORD calls us to walk…
    • The ONLY way know which PATH to take – is to SEEK the LORD and ask…
    • He can make our path STRAIGHT – show us which way HE wants us to go!
    • Proverbs 16:9 – “We can make our plans – but the LORD directs our steps.”

• 3^rd – False Hope… vs. 9-10
  • 1^st – Empty words… vs. 9
    • For there is no faithfulness in their mouth – their inward part is destruction…
    • Their throat is an open tomb – they flatter with their tongue!
    • Everything MEN say – has NO [אֵין] FAITHFULNESS – to be unstable – uncertain…
    • Because men are driven by their EVIL desires [inward part that is destructive]
    • Their THROAT is like a TOMB – the words that come out lead to DEATH…
    • With their TONGUE they FLATTER – to cause division!
    • Which is WHY we so NOT go to people and ask for their GUIDANCE….
    • They will give us their OPINION – but it is often selfishly motivated…
    • Even if it is HONEST – we do NOT see what the future holds…
    • How then can we expect to give ANYONE good counsel on what they should do!
  • 2^nd – Judgment… vs. 10
    • Pronounce [imperative] them guilty – O God! Let them fall by their own counsels…
    • Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions – for they have rebelled against You!
    • There is NOTHING God has to do WICKED men – they will FALL by their own counsel…
    • Because any PLAN that is NOT from the LORD is doomed to fail!
    • Proverbs 16:9 – “There is a path before each person that seems right – but it ends in death.”
    • And their SINS will find them out – in the END they will be CAST out from the presence of God!
    • Numbers 32:23 – “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
    • Knowing then how the lives of those in the WORLD will END…
    • Why would we EVER go to them for GUIDANCE on how to live our lives!

• 4^th – True Hope… vs. 11-12
  • 1^st – Protection… vs. 11
    • But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You…
    • Let them ever shout [piel] for joy – because You defend them!
    • TRUST – to seek refuge – to find protection…
    • EVERYONE who comes to the LORD – will SHOUT for JOY – because He will defend them!
    • What – WHO – is it God will DEFEND us from – our ENEMY…
    • Satan seeks to devour us – wants to see us condemned to hell – Revelation 12:10
    • He has all the EVIDENCE he needs – all our sins / our immoral thoughts…
    • But Jesus destroyed the power of satan – so that he has NOTHING to accuse us of…
    • All our sins were PAID for in full on the cross – we are untouchable in Jesus!
    • With God as our DEFENSE – we have NOTHING to FEAR!
  • 2^nd – Favor… vs. 11-12
    • Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You!
    • For You – O LORD – will bless the righteous – with favor You will surround him as with a shield!
    • When we LOVE the NAME of the LORD – He will give us His FAVOR…
    • Therefore LET us DAILY come to the LORD – SEEK His GUIDANCE…
    • So that we KNOW the PATH – are BLESSED in the WAY – and have JOY in our hearts!