Danger Signal

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

1O LORD, I have so many enemies;

so many are against me.

2So many are saying,

“God will never rescue him!”

Interlude

3But you, O LORD, are a shield around me,

my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.

4I cried out to the LORD,

and he answered me from his holy mountain.

Interlude

5I lay down and slept.

I woke up in safety,

for the LORD was watching over me.

6I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies

who surround me on every side.

7Arise, O LORD!

Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

8Victory comes from you, O LORD.

May your blessings rest on your people.

Interlude

In the sixteenth century the Huguenots of France were known for their psalm singing. They sang when they ate, they sang when they worked, they sang when they worshiped. They even sang when they were persecuted or when they were going into battle. In battle, psalms were chanted whenever sentries took their posts. The chanting of certain psalms signified certain things. Chanting Psalm 3 signaled danger. Whenever a Huguenot heard this psalm, he knew an attack by the enemy was imminent.

That must have been the way David felt when he wrote Psalm 3. His son Absalom was trying to usurp the throne, enemy armies were pursuing him, and he didn’t know which friends he could count on. David and his contingent of soldiers had hastily crossed the Jordan River during the night, not knowing what would happen in the hours of darkness (see 2 Samuel 17:22). The situation seemed hopeless. Despite the anxiety, however, David continued to trust in the Lord as his shield, his glory, and the one who lifted his head.

When danger seems imminent, will you trust God as David did? Will you look to the Lord as your shield, your glory, and the one who lifts your head?

I cried and from his holy hill

He bowed a listening ear.

I called my Father and my God

And he subdued my fear.

ISAAC WATTS

Bible Networking

Read the story of David’s flight from Absalom in 2 Samuel 15–17.

Notable Quotable

“Though David had many enemies, the Lord was his shield. Though his enemies were putting him to shame, the Lord was his glory. And though they had publicly humiliated him, the Lord lifted his head high.”

MARTIN LUTHER