He Heard Me From His Holy Hill Psalm 3

by Lawrence Kelley

1. "A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son."
1. Absalom, gradually stole the hearts of Israel.
1. Cut a an impressive figure (appearance, chariots, horses etc.)
2. Intercept people seeking justice from King, "Oh, that I were made judge..."
3. Men would come to bow down, but he would pull them up and kiss them.
4. By combining Charm & flattery w/ deception he won their hearts.
2. Under the guise of paying a vow, Absalom goes to Hebron and places co-conspirators in strategic cities around the kingdom, he also lured a number of key men to his side who were innocent of the conspiracy so as to have them out of position when the cry went out: Absalom reigns in Hebron.
1. Word of the insurrection spread quickly through the kingdom and at last, word came to David in Jerusalem.
2. David and 600 loyal men fled into the wilderness and Absalom is advised to pursue them that night with a force of 12,000.
1. Many of the Benjamites and other northern tribes resented David's replacement of Saul.
2. David had lead numerous liturgical developments in the worship of God and introduced song as a prominent feature. He had also relocated the ark to Jerusalem.
3. David was not entirely innocent himself - His sin w/ bathsheba lay behind Absalom's rebellion. Though he had been forgiven, Nathan had warned that there would be continual strife in David's household.
4. Nevertheless it must be said that David was a great man and a godly king who deserved the loyalty of all Israel, However the combination of unjustifiable resentments & Absalom's lies fomented this rebellion.


2. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
1. Increased & Many are the enemies of David.
1. 600 vs 12K initially, with the 12k becoming a multitude later.
2. They are armed and bent on his death - trouble indeed!
2. For David the worst weapon are their words, "There is no help for him in God."
1. Just like God had withdrawn his Spirit from Saul.
1. Perhaps his friends were saying this in sorrow,
2. but his enemies were boasting it and longed to see it proven in David's total destruction.
2. The greatest of all fears for the godly is the thought that there is no help for me in God.
3. Selah - a musical pause, simply a rest?, increase in volume?, raise the pitch?
   
   
3. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.
1. In spite of what his enemies were saying and regardless of his circumstances, David places complete confidence in the LORD.
1. He is a shield - my protection - my fortress.
2. My glory - the approval of God outshines the shame of men.
3. And though my head is now hung in disgrace, He will soon lift it up in honor.
2. (V. 4) I cried ..with my voice .
1. Even in secret prayer we often pray better aloud.
1. Especially in David's circumstance: His cruel enemies clamor and boast.
2. They lift up their voices, and behold, I lift up mine, and my cry out soars them all.
2. This is the power of song - heightened speech. Prayer glorified by the melody and harmony of music.
3. He heard from His holy Hill!
1. When David fled Jerusalem, He ordered that the Ark be left on Mt. Zion. This meant that though Absalom thought He had taken control of the capitol city, he had not.
2. The worshiping saint is always fighting from the high ground.
1. Worship is warfare - as we gather in the heavenlies
2. We do so to effect change on earth.
3. We need not fear a frowning world while we rejoice in a prayer answering God.
4. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
1. This is the sleep of holy confidence! Ps 121:3-4 He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
2. There is a vigilance that is useless Ps 127:1b Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.


5. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
1. David describes his enemies as beasts of prey, set to devour Him, but he knows that God has only to "stand up" and their teeth will be broken.
2. Salvation doesn't arise from our strength, but from God's. It isn't our goodness, but His mercy, It isn't our understanding, but his wisdom.
1. When oppressed by enemies whether demons or men or whatever they be the godly response is always Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God!
2. His deliverance from oppression, His removal of our enemy is the occasion for our praise and thanksgiving.

Related Information:

Left click to play.
Right click and select "Save As" to copy to your computer.

Sermons on:

Sermon On The Mount
Beattitudes

Copyright © 2006, Lost River Church of Christ
This page was last modified on January 16, 2007