"LORD,
how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against
me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him
in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and
the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice,
and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept;
I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten
thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation
belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah."
(Psalm 3)
Psalm 3 is the first psalm
with a historical title. It is a psalm of David "when he fled from
Absalom his son." This insight sheds a flood of light upon our text.
David was a fugitive in trouble. A man might use flowery phrases
when making a speech, but when he's in trouble, he will not waste time
with fine words, but will come right to the point! In this psalm,
David prunes away wordy speech.
1. David's
COMPLAINT
(v. 1 - 2)
-The Multitude of his Enemies
"how are they increased..."
-The Malice of his Enemies
"rise up against me"
-The Mockery of his Enemies
"There is no help for him in God"
2. David'sCOMFORT
(v. 3)
-David Looked to GOD!
"But thou, O LORD"
-David Leaned on GOD!
"art a shield for me"
-David Loved GOD!
"my glory"
-David was Lifted up by GOD!
"and the lifter up of mine head"
*David needed a lift,
and he knew where to get it!
*Lift = "To
bring up, to exalt, and to hold"
I. The RESOURCE of Exaltation!
"But thou, O LORD"
A. A Sovereign GOD!
(v. 3 - 4)
B. A Strong GOD!
(v. 6 - 7)
C. A Saving GOD!
(v. 8)
II.
The RECIPIENTS of Exaltation!
A. The Depraved Sinner!
(Psalm 40:1 - 4)
B. The Discouraged Servant!
(Numbers 21:4 - 9)
C. The Depressed Saint!
(Psalm 113:1 - 7)
III.
The REQUIREMENT for Exaltation!
*Humility
"When
men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and
he shall save the humble person."
(Job 22:29)
"For
thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is
of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and
to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
(Isaiah 57:15)
*GOD dwells in the highest
Heaven and the lowliest Heart!
"And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased: and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted."
(Matthew 23:12)
"Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
(James 4:10)
"Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time"
(I Peter 5:6)
*Before Honour comes Humility.