Psalm 3: Dysfunction To Delight

Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2     many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
3     But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4     I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5     I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6     I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7     Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
       For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8     Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
 
Meditation
God’s sovereign grace transforms dysfunction to delight, redeeming family disorder for His glory.
 
We can all joke about keeping the “fun” in dysfunctional regarding some part of our family makeup.  But it never really is a laughing matter, and no one laughs at the family dysfunction revealed in the historical background of Psalm 3. 2 Samuel 15 is the crown jewel of family dysfunction for King David’s family. David’s son Absalom formed a coup, seeking his father’s throne and his life as a reaction to David’s absentee parenting in response to the sexual assault of Tamar (David’s daughter and Absalom’s sister).  Psalm 3 was written as David was on the run for his life.
 
David’s “foes” are his son and former trusted leaders, dismissing David as being beyond divine help (1-2). David directs his faith above the dysfunction to God Himself, looking to the Lord as His shield, glory, salvation, and strength (3-4). God answers David who rests in the Lord’s sovereignty (5), trusting God for salvation from the struggle of family disorder and dysfunction (6-8). God will redeem all He allows and His people can be at peace in Him.
 
God’s historic pattern is to redeem family dysfunction in His time and His way. We see this in the story of Joseph and His brothers, God’s sovereign grace transforming evil intentions for the good of His purposes and the glory of His name (Genesis 50). God’s sovereign grace invites us to find security in His steadfast love, lifting our eyes to see Him, opening our hearts to trust Him.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about a Psalm of worship written from the context of family dysfunction? How does this historical context immediately change how you look at the difficulty of dysfunction in your family and life?
 
-Where do you need to lift your eyes off the dysfunction to see God as your protector, provider, redeemer, and sustainer? How would this change your engagement with difficult relationships?
 
-Jesus’ work demonstrates and fulfills God’s promises, specifically His promise to transform evil intentions for His purposes, the good of His people, and the glory of His name. Where do you need to turn from your lack of faith to more fully trust God’s sovereign grace?

Key Verse
3     But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
            4           I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.

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