Key verse: v. 8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.”
Introduction:
The occasion of this psalm is found in 2 Samuel 15:1 – 18:33. The occasion is when Absalom won the hearts of the people of Israel in an attempt to usurp the throne of his father, David, King of Israel, 2 Samuel 15:5-6, “And it was so , that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6- And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
“The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.” (v. 12b). For 4 years Absalom had been weaning the people away from David. Now the time was ripe for revolution.
When Absalom reached Hebron, the very center of the Davidic dynasty, where David had begun his reign (2 Sam. 3:2-3), Absalom announced his usurpation of power, 2 Samuel 15:10, “But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.”
In spite of innumerable adversaries who were convinced that he had no hope, God’s elect, David, found God’s safety and protection through the night and thereby had confidence in His ultimate deliverance.
I. THE BROKEN HEART OF A FATHER, vv. 1-2
A. It was a strong conspiracy, 2 Samuel 15:12, “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.”
1. Ahithophel was David’s own counselor, 1 Chronicles 27:33, “And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:”
2. He had turned against David, 2 Samuel 15:31, “And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
3. Ahithophel’s counsel was strongly regarded, 2 Samuel 16:23, “And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.”
B. “Many are they that rise up against me,” Matthew 10:21, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”
C. Many say there is no hope in God, v. 2; Matthew 27:42-43, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43- He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”
II. THE SOURCE OF DAVID’S PROTECTION IS THE LORD
A. God was David’s defense, Psalm 7:10, “My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.”
1. David trusted in the Lord, v. 3; Psalm 18:2,30, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength , in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 30- As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
2. The Lord was David’s glory, Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
3. God was the “lifter up” of his head, Psalm 27:6, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”
B. “I cried unto the Lord,” vv. 4-5; Psalms 50:15, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
1. Because David trusted God for deliverance, Psalms 22:3, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
2. David knew that God would answer, Psalms 91:15, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”
C. Then David rested in the Lord, vv. 5-7; Psalms 4:8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
1. David buckles on the harness of battle singing, Psalms 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
2. He knew that his enemies would stumble and fall, Psalms 27:2, “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.”
3. He was confident in the Lord, Psalms 27:3, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”
D. Salvation belongs to the Lord, Hosea 13:4, “Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”
1. There is no other name under heaven for salvation, Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’
2. It is Jesus who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
3. The Lord gives peace to the soul, Psalms 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”
CONCLUSION
The Lord has declared His salvation for thousands of years. He has done everything to bring man to realize that he is a sinner and that God is his only hope. Yet many continue to reject Him as Savior. Even so, God continues to call men unto Himself for the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior, the ONLY GOD.