Title Praise/Psalm 3:1-8
Content "Blessings of Blessings" Series VIII: Praise/Psalms 3:1-8
1. A life that is easy to get caught up in a vicious cycle
Our lives are always exposed to shock like a fragile cup. Our health, workplace, and family relationships are always exposed to risks that can be disrupted. But any one shock that happens to us doesn't end there, and often causes another break. There are times when one little problem causes another hardship and our lives get out of control. Our lives are at risk of falling into this vicious cycle, and once we fall into this vicious cycle, our lives are ruined out of control.
The main text Psalm 3 is a song of David, and the title of “a poem that David wrote while he fled from his son Absalom” is very unique. David's son Absalom launched a coup. Because David judged that the time had passed and the time of Absalom had arrived, the number of servants and soldiers on Absalom's side increased. In the end, David couldn't keep his throne any longer, so he fled the palace and was chased. Psalm 3 is David's song in this situation. King David's situation was such a great crisis that it was too difficult to accept as a reality. However, David did not fall into a vicious cycle in which he faced another crisis due to this difficult situation. Psalm 3 shows us what kept David from falling into a vicious cycle.
2. Vocal Song: Verses 1-2
First, David lifted his eyes and looked at God. If David had lamented his plight and continued to focus on those who drove him into such a situation, he would have plunged into anger and disgrace. And I would have lost control of myself and fell into another, bigger abyss. But David did not pay attention to the difficult situation he was in and the people who made him that way. Instead, he lifted his eyes and focused on God. With a sigh that came from the depths of his soul, he called out his name, “Jehovah!” and paid attention to God. This is an important change of direction. We have a strong tendency to fix our eyes on situations or people that have given us difficulties. However, not clinging to the people and situations around us that make us difficult, and turning our eyes to God is the first step in not falling into the vicious cycle.
Second, David confessed his difficult situation to God. To vomit means to vomit. In other words, it means to vomit out the rotten thing in me before God. It is to vomit out the anxiety, fear, and despair that are within me. Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 3 are songs in which David exclaims before God what is in him. “O LORD, how many are my enemies! There are many who rise up against me.” He confessed to God his feelings of betrayal toward his son and his servants. In order to live a life that restores God's shalom without falling into the vicious cycle like this, you must tell God about the difficult situation you are facing. I must avoid falling into a vicious cycle that causes another problem by pouring out my circumstances to God.
3. The transition from a song of mourning to a song of salvation: verses 3-4
A song about pouring out your frustrations to God in the language of your heart will at some point turn into a song of trust in God the Savior. Verses 3 and 4 are very simple but full of confidence that God is the savior of my life. It is a song full of trust in God that no matter how difficult the situation, God will protect me because He is my shield. David firmly held on to the fact that God was the shield of his life. And repeatedly praised God the Savior from the depths of his soul. In this way, we must repeat the important truth that will save us. When I repeat the simple song “God is my savior” over and over, the vicious cycle that tries to destroy my life is broken. And you will not be caught up in the power of destruction and will live a life of peace that God's good hand insists on.
4. Praise God the Savior with a new song: verses 5-8
Now David is offering a new song to God. We are offering spiritual songs to God to communicate with God. David is uploading it to God as a song of salvation, and now a new song.
A new song is the praise that I raise to God from the depths of my soul. The new song is a song of the soul and a song of songs to God. It is a song of communion with God. No matter how old the praise is, the song I sing to God from the depths of my heart is a new song in my soul. Because David was a singer of a new song, he was able to enjoy the shalom that God gave him. Like David, let's become our lives enjoying God's shalom and blessings by singing a new song, a great gift from God.
Questions and Sharing
◎ Our lives are exposed to various difficulties and crises. Let's share the difficulties and crises among us.
◎ When David was in pain, he offered up a prayer to God. Let's raise the difficulties we and our family to God in prayer.
◎ When we offer praise from the depths of our souls to God, we enjoy God's shalom. Let's pray together and decide to become people of faith who praise God in the midst of suffering.