We are excited to be starting a new series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.
Read Psalm 3 Listen to Psalm 3
Podcast (cnc-daily-psalms): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:02 — 1.3MB)
We may find ourselves so besieged by life that we do not know what to pray. The Psalms are a good place to look for inspiration because they were written in a multitude of different situations. King David was the author of many of the Psalms, including Psalm 3, which was written when his son Absalom rebelled against him. David faced a huge challenge and yet he still turned to God in prayer, confident that he would be heard and trusting that God would answer his prayers.
David first complains to God about the situation he was facing. He had many enemies, including those from his own family who had turned against him (Psalm 3:1–2). Secondly, he is confident that God will answer his prayer (Psalm 3:3–4). Thirdly, David puts his trust fully in God (Psalm 3:5–6). Finally he prays for God to give him victory over his enemies and to bless his people, which would also include his enemies (Psalm 3:7–8).
This psalm could be a model of prayer during times of crisis. God is big enough to hear our complaints. We know that God will hear our prayer because Jesus said that “your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). Jesus also taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
Lord, today I need your help with… You are a shield around me and I know that you will answer me. I do not need to fear when I put my trust in you. Lord, deliver me from all that is against me and bless those who persecute me.