A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms, Psalm 3
PSALM III. A Psalm of David when he fled from Absolom his son.
This Psalm holdeth forth a notable proof & benefit of faith in Davids experience; who when his own son Absolom rebelled against him, and forced him to flee for fear of his life, did first lay before the Lord his pitiful condition, ver. 1, 2. Secondly, He setled his faith on God, prayed, and obtained a comfortable answer, was quiet and refreshed in soul and body, and made confident against all fears possible, ver. 3, 4, 5, 6. Thirdly, He continueth in prayer, confirming his faith from former experience, ver. 7. And lastly, he giveth forth the use of his experience to the Churches edification in a general doctrin. ver. 8
FRom the Inscription, learn, 1. How great calamity may befal the best of Gods children, and that from those persons, from whom they could least expect to be troubled: for David was deserted of his own subjects, and chased from his Palace and royal State by his owne son Absolom. 2. Although the Lord do not follow the sins of his children with vindictive justice, yet by the sharp rods of fatherly correction▪ hee can make his own children, and all the beholders of their scandalous sins, see how bitter a thing it is to provoke him to wrath, as once David did. 3. Even when sin hath drawn on judgement, God must be dealt with for relief, no lesse then if it had been sent for trial onelyonly; as David doth in the case of the correcting and purging of the pollution of his family, by the insurrection of his Son against him.
Ver. 1. LOrd, how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me.
2. Many there be which say of my my soul▪ There is no help for him in God.
FRom his laying before God his pitiful condition: Learn 1. The man who believeth in God, hath an advantage above whatsoever any ungodly man can have in the time of trouble: he hath the Lord to go unto for comfort and relief, of whose kindnesse he may make use, as David did here, laying out his trouble before him, and saying, Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? &c. 2. The world counteth a mans case desperate, when they see no worldly helpe for him. Many say, there is no help for him in God. 3. Mercilesse beholders of the corrections of Gods children for their sinnes, think and say also oft times, that God is following them with vindictive justice, and is destroying them both in regard of their soules and bodies, &c. without mind of mercy to them. Many say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. 4. Tentation to despair of relief, doth accompany unexpected and sad troubles; and this is more grievous then the trouble it self: Therefore David presenteth this tentation before God in the last roome, as the heaviest part of his exercise, with a note of uplifting the mind and voice. Selah.
Ver. 3. But thou O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
In the second place he sheweth how hee made use of faith in prayer; and what fruit he received thereby: Whence learne, 1. The nature of true faith is to draw the more neare to God, the more it be driven from him, Many say, no helpe in God; but thou art my shield. 2. God is a counter-comfort in all calamity, our shield in danger, our glory in shame, the lifter up of our head in dejection. 3. As there is reliefe in God out of all evil, so faith seeth in God sufficient helpe from all evil, and in special that the sword of the enemie cannot bee so neare, but he can interpose himselfe, as a sheild to ward off the blow: But thou O Lord, art a shield round about me, &c. yea, faith seeth in God matter of rejoycing and gloriation in the middest of all the shame and disgrace which men can cast upon the believer, and can make a man say to God, Thou art my glory. In a word, faith seeth goodnesse and power in God to raise the believer out of the lowest condition wherein he can be: Thou art the lifter up of my head.
Ver. 4. I▪ cryed unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5. I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the Lord sustained me.
6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about.
From the exercise of faith, and the fruits of it in these three verses: Learn, 1. The conscience of seeking God by prayer is an ease to a man, not only for the time present, while he is in prayer pouring out his heart; but refreshful also, when 'tis looked back upon: therefore by way of gratulation saith David here, I cryed to the Lord. 2. Faith in a strait stirreth up affection and earnestnesse in prayer, and maketh the whole man to be taken up about it: I cryed to the Lord with my voice, saith hee. 3. The prayer of faith shal not want an answer, and the returne thereof is worthy to be attended and marked, when it is obtained; I cryed, and be heard mee. 4. The prayer of faith trusteth God in Christ, as the propitiatory and mercy seat, and seeketh audience and answer only for Christs cause, whose sacrifice, and mediation, and benefits were shadowed forth in the Tabernacle: And the …eliev…r, as he should take heed that his prayer go up to God through Christ, so should he observe how it is answered and returned also through Christ, represented▪ by the Ark in the Tabernacle, pitched on the holy hill of Sion: He heard me also out of his holy Hill. 5. In the greatest extremity of danger, a believer may have his mind quieted, and his body refreshed also, after that in faith he hath had his recourse to God, and hath casten his care upon him: I laid me downe and slept, I awaked. 6. The quietnesse and setlednesse of a mans heart by faith in God, is another sort of work then the natural resolution of manly courage; for it is the gracious operation of Gods spirit upholding a man above nature, and therefore God ought to have all the glory of it: The Lord sustained me. 7. When the Lord will answer the believer to his comfort, he can not only satisfie him in the particular which he prayeth for, but also furnish him with confidence against whatsoever evil can be apprehended by him for time to come: I will not be afraid of Millions of people, that have set themselves against mee round about. 8. When faith finds it self welcome to God, 'tis able to give a defiance to all adversaries; more or fewer, weaker or stronger enemies, all are alike despised: I wil not be afraid of thousands of people.
Ver. 7. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheeke bone: thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
In the third place he continueth to pray against the evil, which might thereafter follow: Whence Learn, 1. Faith in God is not a bragger, nor confident in the mans owne strength, or imagination; but humbly dependeth on God, and continueth in prayer, so long as the danger remaineth; as David doth here, after delivery received. 2. The covenant of grace, wherein the believer is entered with God, furnisheth him with confident prayer, and hope of salvation: Save me, O my God. 3. When faith is fixed upon God covenanted, then by-gone experiences do come up as pinnings in the bigging of a wall, to bolster it up, and confirme …t; For thou hast smitten all my enemies upon the cheeke-bone, thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 4. God smites the pride of persecuters with a shameful stroke, and their beastly cruelty, with breaking their power; Thou hast smitten mine enemies on the cheek-bone, thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Vers. 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
From the last part of the Psalme, wherein he giveth forth from his own experience a general Doctrine, for the comfort of all the Lords people, Learn 1. The use of the experience of the Godly, should be the confirmation of the faith of all others, as well as of their owne: as here is seen. 2. The fruit of the Lords putting his owne in straits, is to make them and all men see, that he hath waies of deliverance, more then they know of▪ and that hee will save his owne, when men do count their case desperate: For, Salvation belongeth to the Lord. 3. Whatsoever mixture his people doe find of crosses and comforts, or vicissitude of danger and delivery, adversity or prosperity, still the course of blessing of them standeth, which now and then they are forced to acknowledge to the Lord: Thy blessing is upon thy people.