Many say of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah Sermons
I. PERIL. (Vers. 1, 2.) (In order to introduce this psalm vividly to the people, a preacher should study closely the historic, incidents to which it refers.) The writer was (1) compassed with foes; (2) surrounded with plots and snares; (3) scoffed at for his piety. There is no help for him in God. These who were plotting against him thought they had laid their plans securely, and that none could upset them. So it was with Daniel and with St. Peter. Note: If the people of God have to struggle hard with opposers and revilers, let them remember that they have had and shall have "companions in tribulation;" and that the experience of the saints of old, and of the course they adopted, is here recorded as a help for them. II. PRAYER. (Ver. 4.) "I cried unto the Lord with my voice." The name of God . used by the psalmist is the revealed name of Israel's redeeming God, Jehovah. Of the vast meaning of this name the scoffing heathen knew nothing. And now, when the world scornfully asks, "Where is their God?" they do so in entire ignorance of the blessed throne of grace to which the believer can repair. "With my voice" - while their voice defies God, my voice shall address God. The blessed reality of inter-communion with the infinite and eternal God, through his own appointed way of sacrifice and mediation, is one of which the carnal mind knows absolutely nothing. None laugh at prayer who understand what it is. Those who know God know well that he is a Refuge and a Hiding-place in any time of trouble. III. RESCUE. In God he has a Deliverer. In three forms is this expressed, each one full of suggestiveness. 1. A Shield. The word means more than this, even a protection which compasses one around. 2. My Glory. The believer can make his boast in God, even when men are scoffing at the great Name. 3. The Lifter-up of my head. One who enables me to rise superior to my troubles, and to smile upon them. All these expressions show not only what God was to David, but what he is to the saints still. Note: Whether we sink in trouble or rise above it will depend on our faith and prayer. We may fetch such help from God as will enable us to "smile at the storm." IV. FEARLESSNESS. 1. In spite of all his foes, he could lie down and sleep. How many a wakeful night would have become one of sweet repose if the troubled ones did but thus hide in God! As the little child sleeps away his griefs on his mother's breast, so we can have sweetest repose when we make God our Hiding-place. The prophecy is, "A man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind," etc. 2. As he sleeps in holy calm, so he awakes in holy courage. (Ver. 6.) "I will not be afraid," etc. (cf. Psalm 26., 46.). The courage of David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc., may well be repeated in us. "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" 3. The answers to prayer already received strengthen his confidence for the future. (Vers. 4, 7.) "He heard me," etc.; "Thou hast smitten all mine enemies," etc.; and because this has been so, his faith in future deliverances is confirmed. V. TESTIMONY. The psalmist had prayed to Jehovah; he now testifies for him, as the result of his experience. 1. Experience furnishes the best answer to the scorner. In ver. 2 David quotes the words of the heathen, "There is no help for him in God;" but he knows better. He has tried what prayer will do. He has asked for help, and help has come. So that in direct opposition to wicked men, and as the result of positive knowledge, he can affirm, "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord," i.e. (same Hebrew word as in ver. 2) "help" or deliverance. This, of course, would be true of salvation from sin, etc.; but that is not its reference here. It means deliverance or help in any time of trouble. 2. Experience warrants a confident statement of the truth. "Thy blessing is upon thy people." How rich this blessing (or favour) of God is cannot be told in words. Not even the Old Testament saints knew its fulness of wealth and glory. Not till such teachings as Romans 8:31-39 were known to believers was it possible that they should. Of this blessing it was then true, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man, what God hath prepared for them that love him." And in Revelation 7. the double form of that blessing is given (see the present writer's homily thereon), viz. safe keeping now, while in the tribulation; and safe leadership out of the great tribulation, to the glory yet to be revealed! - C.
Selah. That seems to sum up the several meanings of the word "Selah." Some say it is a direction to the musicians to play an interlude while the singers ceased; some regard it as a direction to the players to stop and tune their instruments. Others see an injunction to raise heart and voice, harp and organ, to their fullest capacity. Others see a reference to eternity, as if one interposed, "World without end, Amen!" Many regard the word as equivalent to certain well-known signs in music, bidding you turn back and repeat. In any case, it is as if a solemn rock ("sela") stood right across our path, bidding us "stop and think." On the ground of this injunction meet all meanings, however divergent they seem. "No help for him in God." Stop and think. Selah looks forward as well as back. God has been a shield for David; He can also lift up his head once more, and invest him with glory, the sunshine of the Divine countenance. For us who conduct the services of God's house, "Selah" has a message. It bids the preacher rightly divide the word of truth. It bids him compare truth with truth, bringing out things new and old, and fixing each in its most telling place. It says — tune your hearts, voices, instruments. Seek inspiration, do justice to the Divine message and the gospel song, so that with holy passion, and sacred emphasis, and heart-felt pathos you shall lead our hearts to God, and incite our minds to things eternal.(Michael Eastwood.) People Absalom, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Deliver, Deliverance, Salvation, Saying, Selah, Soul, UnnumberedOutline 1. The security of God's protectionDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 3:1-4 5087 David, reign of Library Table of the Books of Holy Scripture According to Date. HISTORICAL BOOKS. PROPHETIC AND POETICAL BOOKS. B.C. 4004 1689 Genesis 1529 Job Psalm lxxxviii. by Heman, the Ezrahite, (See 1 Chron. ii. 6) 1491 Exodus 1491 Leviticus 1451 Numbers Psalm xc. and (perhaps) xci 1450 Deuteronomy 1451 1427 Joshua 1312 Ruth 1120 Judges 1171 1056 1 Samuel Psalms, certainly vii, xi, xvi, xvii, xxii, xxxi, xxxiv, lvi, liv, lii, cix, xxxv, lvii, lviii, cxliii, cxl, cxli, and many more 1056 1 Chronicles Psalms, certainly ii, vi, ix, xx, 1023 Psalms … Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People The History of the Psalter Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms. The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul. Christ's Kingly Office The Consolation Psalms Links Psalm 3:2 NIVPsalm 3:2 NLT Psalm 3:2 ESV Psalm 3:2 NASB Psalm 3:2 KJV Psalm 3:2 Bible Apps Psalm 3:2 Parallel Psalm 3:2 Biblia Paralela Psalm 3:2 Chinese Bible Psalm 3:2 French Bible Psalm 3:2 German Bible Psalm 3:2 Commentaries Bible Hub |