(3:1) David Trusts God Going Through Adversity - When he prayed the words of this psalm, David was not sitting on his throne in a place of power; he was running for his life from his rebellious son Absalom and a host of traitors. When circumstances go against us, we may be tempted to think that God has abandoned us. But David reminds us that the opposite is true. When everything seems to go wrong, God stays with us and protects us. If a circumstance has turned against you, don't doubt God's presence -look around. He is right beside you!

(3:1-2) David Depends on God - David despaired at the odds against him. As many as 10,000 soldiers may have been surrounding him at this time (3:6). Not only did David's enemies want a different king, but they were actively seeking to kill him. As king, David could have trusted his army to defeat Absalom. Instead, he depended on God's reassurance and presence (3:4); therefore, he was at peace with whatever outcome might occur, knowing that God's great purposes would prevail. We can overcome our anxieties in our darkest hours by holding on to God's assurance that he is with us and is merciful to those who trust him as Lord over all.

(3:2) Selah - The word selah occurs 71 times in the original Hebrew in Psalms and three times in Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:3.9.13). Though its precise use is unknown, the word was most likely a musical direction. Four suggestions for its meaning include the following: (1) It was a musical direction to the singers and orchestra to play forte or crescendo. (2) It was a signal to lift up one's hands or voice in worship. (3) It was a word like amen, meaning "so be it," or hallelujah, meaning "praise the Lord." (4) It was a signal to the priest to give a benediction.

(3:4) Mount Moriah - God's holy hill was Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the place where David's son Solomon would build the temple (2 Chronicles 3i). David knew that God could not be confined to any space, but he wrote poetically, expressing confidence that God would hear him when he prayed. God responds to us when we earnestly pray to him, no matter how dangerous or precarious the situation may be.

(3:5) David Cries Out to the Lord - Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The assurance of God's watchful care and answers to prayer bring peace. It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of every circumstance. If you are lying awake at night worrying about what you can't change, pour out your heart to God, and thank him that he is in control. Then sleep will come more easily.

(3:7) God's Justice - Here David calls upon God to act against his unjust persecutors. David had been slapped and insulted, and here he asks for equal treatment for his enemies. He did this not out of personal revenge but for the sake of God's justice. David realized that faith in God's timing for both justice and mercy was the only way to handle his plight with his enemies.