OFFER THE SACRIFICES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
PSALM 3
Introduction:
The third Psalm is known as the “Morning Psalm.” This Psalm can be called the “Evening Psalm,” v. 8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
David knew from where he would receive strength to carry on before the Lord. He knew that he had many enemies, but his God was able to supply every need in order to do God’s will.
I. DAVID PLEADS WITH GOD FOR HELP
v. 1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
A. David’s habit of pleading from past mercies for present favors, Psalms 57:1, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”
1. David knew where his blessings are from, Psalms 24:5, “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
2. David knew that RIGHTEOUSNESS was by faith in the Messiah, 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
B. David was in the habit of praying daily to the Lord, Psalms 86:3, “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.”
1. David knew the Grace of God in his life, Isaiah 45:24, “Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.”
2. David sought the mercies of God, Psalm 119:75-77, 132, “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right , and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76- Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant . 77- Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 132-Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”
II. DAVID REASONS WITH HIS ENEMIES FOR THEIR PERSECUTION OF HIM
v. 2, O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?
A. David in the field of conflict had the undaunted courage of Moses the man of God, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”
B. David chides foolish men as though they were children, Proverbs 1:22, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”
1. Man refuses to humble himself before God as they did in Moses day, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”
2. Today our young men are void of understanding, Proverbs 7:7, “And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths , a young man void of understanding,”
a. The Lord invites men to come and learn, Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls . 30- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
b. But they will not come to the Lord, Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
III. HE REMINDS THEM THAT THE LORD HAS SET APART SOME, vv. 3-5
A. David was in the care of the Lord, v. 3.
1. He and the Lord’s people were a separated people, Exodus 33:16, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight ? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”
2. David knew that God watched over them, Psalm 34:15. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”
B. “Tremble and sin not” was David’s thought here, Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
C. David examined his own heart in the quiet of the evening, 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1. David demonstrated that he was in the faith, 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
2. Like Paul David did not want to shame his Savior, 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”
IV. DAVID DELIGHTFULLY CONTRASTS HIS OWN SATISFACTION AND SAFETY WITH THE RESTLESSNESS OF THE UNGODLY, vv. 6-8
A. The sinner is restless, Psalm 4:6, “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
B. David was at peace with his Lord, vv. 7-8.
1. David did not set up the night for fear, Psalms 3:5, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
2. “Lord, only you make me dwell in peace, Proverbs 3:24, When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
CONCLUSION
David was a man that knew the Lord and had put his complete trust in the Lord for every protection.