WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.540 It's been a blessing to study the Psalms in depth. Psalm 1, Psalm 2, now Psalm 3. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:10.779 And Psalm 3 is the first Psalm that has a superscription. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:14.759 So it gives us information inspired by the Holy Spirit. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:19.440 It's not just the publisher adding it in. And that's significant. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:26.400 And also in Psalm 3, we hear the Hebrew word that translators said it's best just to leave an English transliteration of it in there. 00:00:27.119 --> 00:00:30.379 Selah. So you're going to see that word three times in Psalm 3. 00:00:31.079 --> 00:00:33.920 Selah shows up 74 times in the Old Testament. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:41.179 It's most likely a reflective pause to meditate on the words that you just heard, possibly also a musical interlude. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:47.359 In verse 7 of Psalm 3, we hear some very violent language. 00:00:47.359 --> 00:01:00.039 David describes the Lord as giving a knockout hook to the jaw of the enemies and breaking the teeth of the enemies. 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:08.959 The Roman Church, by the Pope's authority, and what one Roman Catholic theologian called an act of magisterial barbarism, 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:16.659 has eliminated individual phrases and verses from certain Psalms in order to soften the hard language. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.079 True Christians will protest this. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:24.460 Censoring God's word is unnecessary and unacceptable. 00:01:24.459 --> 00:01:25.719 Amen. 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:32.479 We don't put ourselves over God's word as if we are more sophisticated and more civilized. 00:01:32.639 --> 00:01:35.379 We are not more wise than the Holy Spirit. 00:01:35.759 --> 00:01:39.500 We put ourselves under all of God's word. 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:47.159 Every last word, every challenging, poetic picture, and every gruesome, historic fact. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.299 It's our duty as Christians. 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:51.340 The Holy Spirit breathed it out. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:52.819 The Holy Spirit indwells us. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:59.939 So it's our duty to discover how the Psalms of enmity, Psalms that speak violence against the enemy, 00:02:00.459 --> 00:02:09.819 can help us so that in a world of violence in which we must live for a while, we will not despair or be broken. 00:02:10.079 --> 00:02:10.800 Do you agree with that? 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:18.620 This is from a theologian who has wrestled with much of this hard content of the Psalms. 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:23.140 I got this recommendation through the International Reformed Baptist Seminary. 00:02:23.260 --> 00:02:25.020 It's very helpful to me as well. 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:35.060 So as I read all of Psalm 3, every word, know that this is God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, insufficient word. 00:02:35.140 --> 00:02:37.240 It's God's very own word for his people. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:41.600 When I'm done reading, I'll say this is the word of the Lord will respond with thanks be to God. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:43.640 Psalm 3. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:48.560 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom, his son. 00:02:51.040 --> 00:02:54.980 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? 00:02:55.320 --> 00:02:57.600 Many are they that rise up against me. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:03.400 Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:04.560 Selah. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:12.800 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:18.439 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:20.039 Selah. 00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:24.000 I laid down and slept. 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:28.199 I awakened, for the Lord sustained me. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:37.000 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.879 Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:45.539 For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone. 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:49.459 Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:54.500 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:58.400 Thy blessing is upon thy people. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:03:59.819 Selah. 00:04:01.260 --> 00:04:03.240 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:03.760 --> 00:04:05.640 Thanks be to God. 00:04:05.700 --> 00:04:06.319 You may be seated. 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:10.060 The grass withers. 00:04:10.859 --> 00:04:12.019 The flower fades. 00:04:12.859 --> 00:04:15.879 The word of the Lord endures forever. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:25.980 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:40.060 Verse 8, the last verse of Psalm 3, comes to this powerful conclusion, which then shows you David's final state after all he's been through up to that moment. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:45.160 And he declares salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:04:46.640 --> 00:04:51.600 I want to simply try to open up that theme through each one of these verses. 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:53.860 I have four gleanings. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:57.420 I believe the Holy Spirit left nourishment for us. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.759 We're going to glean it now to the best of our ability. 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:02.060 First gleaning. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:08.960 King David deserved to be hated, not saved. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:13.480 King David deserved to be hated, not saved. 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:22.819 We're told in the superscription that this is a Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom, his son. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:26.680 This is the first Psalm attributed to David. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:31.300 The first two serve as the intro or the prologue to the entire Psalter. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:36.819 There are 73 of the 150 Psalms that are attributed to David. 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:46.899 And it doesn't start with David receiving the promise, the Davidic covenant or even being exalted in any way. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:54.159 The first Psalm attributed to David sets the tone for everything of good that God would speak through David. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:06:00.480 And it's with David at the, I believe, the lowest point of his entire life. 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:06.040 Psalm 3 presents us a David who's older, who's unpopular. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:10.120 He is an embarrassment to his family and to the whole nation. 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:12.720 He is a disappointing failure. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:17.520 I'm going to try to prove why this is from the context. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:22.400 And in this moment, David looks at the world around him. 00:06:22.460 --> 00:06:23.740 He looks at his enemies. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:26.740 And he hears these accusations. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:31.800 Verse one, Lord, how they are increased that trouble me. 00:06:32.140 --> 00:06:34.620 He says, Lord, how many are my foes? 00:06:35.200 --> 00:06:37.660 Many are they that rise up against me. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:46.360 Verse two, many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:49.480 They say God will not deliver him. 00:06:50.960 --> 00:07:00.620 Now, one way in which I believe we need to learn from the Psalms is that often what's happening physically is a reflection of what's happening spiritually. 00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:03.580 And this is we may think that we're so sophisticated. 00:07:03.580 --> 00:07:04.760 We've got mind, body. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:06.100 So I'll figure it out all separate. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:10.980 No, what's going on physically often is a reflection of the spiritual state as well. 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:15.680 But then there is hope because God can reverse that cycle. 00:07:15.780 --> 00:07:20.280 He can heal the soul, the inner man, though the circumstances all stay just as bad. 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:21.939 I think that's what happens here. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:29.140 They look at David's outward situation and they say, look at what they say in verse two. 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:33.740 There is no help for him in God, but they're looking to his soul. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:37.780 They say the soul of this man is helpless. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:43.519 This is not the type of soul that should have any hope that God would save him. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:45.420 Not just talking physically or his kingdom. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:47.600 We're talking about his soul spiritually. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.720 Well, why is this the case? 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:53.819 We know this is when David was being chased by Absalom. 00:07:53.819 --> 00:08:04.459 So even though this is a really short psalm, most of my study has been in 2 Samuel chapters 12 through 18, which give a rich, complex background to what's going on. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:07.300 Let me try to give you a three line summary. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:13.020 Back in earlier in the second Samuel, David had lusted with his eyes. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.639 He had abused his power. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.840 He had committed adultery. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.680 Then he murdered an innocent man. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:21.439 He brought God's judgment upon the nation. 00:08:21.660 --> 00:08:27.720 He neglected then ruling as the king over the nation. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:31.280 One of his daughters, Princess Tamar, was abused. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.019 Tamar was Absalom's sister. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:40.460 So by the time we get to 2 Samuel 12 through 18, David has been a lousy dad. 00:08:40.920 --> 00:08:43.639 He has kept concubines for himself in the palace. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:47.320 He has lost all moral authority to rule as king. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.279 And one of his sons, plus one of his generals, they have had enough. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:55.319 There is a massive vacuum of power. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:09:01.240 And Absalom feels like the nation deserves a better king. 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:04.419 I'm siding with Absalom on that conclusion. 00:09:05.199 --> 00:09:08.360 David deserved to be hated, not saved. 00:09:08.839 --> 00:09:11.579 The nation deserves a better king. 00:09:12.839 --> 00:09:21.459 So this is what Absalom does, which is not to seek the Lord's will and study God's law and put himself under the law and let the Holy Spirit anoint whoever God would. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:24.500 But what Absalom does is takes matters into his own hands. 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:27.080 My dad would not give justice for my sister. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:29.900 We're going to take justice in my own hands. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:31.860 And Joab starts to do the same. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:38.259 You see, it was really with David where the division between the northern tribes and the southern tribes begins to happen. 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:45.420 Everything that plays out in the disastrous history of national Israel can really be put all the blame of that on David. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.980 Look how Absalom does this. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:53.639 In 2 Samuel chapter 15, Absalom, we're told he would start acting like a king. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:55.580 He got 50 chariots to go in front of him. 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.560 He's parading around. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:05.899 And as those travelers from the northern tribes would come down to Judah seeking justice, Absalom was the one who wanted to give them what his dad couldn't do. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.860 Absalom would say, 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.519 Oh, that I were judge in the land. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:15.879 Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me and I would give him justice. 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:20.759 Absalom did to all who came to Judah. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:24.779 He gave that anyone who came to the king asking for judgment. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:26.039 That's how he treated them. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:28.320 And he would he would show them honor. 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.460 He would show them respect. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.539 He would listen carefully. 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:34.319 And so Absalom stole the hearts of all Israel, we're told. 00:10:36.719 --> 00:10:41.099 Well, you can see then how the tide turns against David in a mighty way. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:45.959 The entire nation of Israel is now the enemy of David. 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:49.339 It's no longer the Philistines or the Edomites or all these other nations. 00:10:49.339 --> 00:10:51.219 It's Israel that is his enemy. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:53.440 They looked at him and said, 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:56.259 This is a pathetic king. 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:58.240 He is an embarrassment. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:03.540 Why should our holy, just, righteous God save this man's soul? 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.779 You tell me why. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:11.820 Now, I identify more with David. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:17.080 Do you and I deserve salvation from this holy and just God? 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:20.940 Is my heart more pure than David's? 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.800 There's no way. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:28.100 My conclusion on the first two verses is this. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:31.500 You won't want God's salvation. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:37.060 You won't want God's grace until you know your sin. 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:47.020 You won't be able to know that salvation belongs to the Lord until first the Lord makes you know the depth of your sin. 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:49.240 And David knew this. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:58.160 If God decreed to save a sinner such as he in his lowest point, then salvation must belong to the Lord alone. 00:11:59.300 --> 00:12:01.500 He declares this truth later. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.420 Psalm 68. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:06.600 Salvation is really an expression of God's essence of who God is. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:11.740 Psalm 68 says God is a God of salvation. 00:12:12.540 --> 00:12:13.740 That's who God is. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.419 So, King David, do you agree with me? 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:21.600 He deserved to be hated, not saved, by his own merit. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:27.680 Second gleaning, the Lord lifted David's head so he would cry in prayer. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.719 The Lord first lifts his head. 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:33.379 Notice the order that is given in verses 3 and 4. 00:12:33.579 --> 00:12:35.699 Then David cries out in prayer. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:41.300 See, in verses 1 and 2, David's eyes are on his enemies. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.800 They're on all those who accuse him. 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:48.360 But then a shift happens in verses 3 and 4. 00:12:49.520 --> 00:12:51.720 His eyes now go to the holy hill. 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:56.480 His eyes are off of himself and his sin, and they're off of his accusers. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:58.500 His eyes are on the holy hill. 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.060 Verse 3. 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:07.320 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:08.680 Verse 4. 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:14.120 For I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:15.859 Selah. 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:21.719 David's popularity had shriveled up like a dry, hard raisin. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:27.600 He had been rejected by his closest advisors, by the noblemen, by the army. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.899 And he had caused this nation now to be divided. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:34.980 He had made all the people weep, we're told in 2 Samuel. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:39.879 And even his family and his most loyal supporters, as few as they were by this point, 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:42.840 they had to flee Jerusalem with David. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:47.480 They had to abandon their homes and run away as refugees. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:51.120 David was inglorious. 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:55.560 But he says, the Lord is my glory. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:58.240 I have no glory to show for myself. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:00.080 But look at verse 3. 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:02.860 The Lord, my glory. 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:08.879 See, David, he leaves things in the hands of God. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:12.860 Absalom wanted to take power for himself, take it into his own hands, 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:15.000 and win over the hearts of the nation. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.620 We read in 2 Samuel that 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:23.080 whoever the ark of the Lord was with, that represented the favor of God. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.799 It represented God being on their side. 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:29.539 David said, when I'm going to run away from Jerusalem because there's been this great insurrection, 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:33.000 a coup d'etat, I'm leaving, but I'm leaving the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.860 I'm not presuming upon God. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:38.899 It could be that at this moment, God has removed his favor, his blessing. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.379 He's no longer on my side. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:41.379 I've lost it. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.580 And David surrendered that to the Lord. 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.539 He fled. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:49.820 We read that the Levites carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.860 So picture the little Levites. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:54.700 Levites, you know, they're ready to defend, and they're here representing the presence of God 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:58.100 with whoever would be the next king on the hill in Jerusalem. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:05.639 We read that David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:10.440 weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:18.680 And all the people who were with him, they went weeping along with David, with their heads covered. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:21.979 Do you see this sad sight? 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:30.059 A disgraced king walking away, almost self-banishing, self-exiling him, you know, his own rule. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.919 We're leaving. 00:15:31.339 --> 00:15:34.139 If Absalom takes the throne, may the ark of the Lord be with him. 00:15:34.479 --> 00:15:37.059 May the favor of God be on whoever the next king would be. 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:41.699 This is the point in which David is reflecting, the Lord is my glory. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.859 I have none of my own. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:46.879 When David went to one town, he was stoned. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.740 They did not want him there. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.779 They said, get out of here. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:52.120 They started throwing stones at David and those with him. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.879 And David can say, the Lord is my shield. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.059 He was rejected by Israel. 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.039 He was so low. 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:06.139 He says, it had to be the Lord to lift up my head. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:13.879 Only after the Lord lifts up David's head can he cry out like we read in verse four. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:17.080 He cried out then unto the Lord with his voice. 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:20.299 God is the lifter of his head. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:26.659 And because it was God by his compassion and patience and kindness that lifted David's head in that lowest moment. 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:33.879 When he does cry out to the Lord, he knows the Lord hears him because it was the Lord who lifted his eyes back on God's kingdom. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:40.519 He knows God heard me out of his holy hill, Selah. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.659 God is his glory. 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.120 God is his shield. 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:46.439 God is the lifter of David's head. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:52.040 So when Satan attacks you, remember Christ is your shield. 00:16:52.560 --> 00:17:01.240 When Satan accuses you, makes you feel down, makes you know you cannot look at the holy God without him striking you dead for your sin. 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:08.420 Know that it is Christ, your shield, who lifts your head so you will look to the holy God once again. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:13.259 Take your eyes off of your accusers, off of your enemies, off of the world. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.200 Take your eyes off of yourself. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.840 Look to the holy hill. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.920 Look to God's glory. 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:32.160 After God lifted David's head, he looked to God and cried out unto the Lord for salvation because salvation must come from the Lord. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.980 He is a God of salvation. 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:41.940 The third gleaning is that the Lord sustained David and defeated his fears. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.120 That's what we read in verses five and six. 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.739 Verse five. 00:17:44.739 --> 00:17:47.379 I laid me down and slept. 00:17:47.739 --> 00:17:50.259 I awaked for the Lord sustained me. 00:17:52.739 --> 00:17:54.899 David is so weak physically. 00:17:55.719 --> 00:17:57.619 He needs to rest his body. 00:17:57.739 --> 00:18:00.919 He needs to let his mind get a new start the next day. 00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:04.079 He needs sleep in order to keep going. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:08.139 Remember, the body and soul are intertwined. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.859 His body physically, the kingdom, it's falling apart. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.460 It's crumbling. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:14.179 And his soul is fainting within him. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.720 He needs rest. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:22.240 Some have observed that there are times in life that our soul is living inside of our body on this earth. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:28.680 So there are times in life where the most sanctifying work you can do is to lay down and sleep. 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.740 Your body needs to recharge. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.620 It needs to recover. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.799 That's how God built us. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.059 And he did that. 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.539 He keeps us so humble, doesn't he? 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:39.819 What's the best way to prepare your soul for eternity with God? 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:44.599 There are times where your body, your mind are so depleted you need to lay down and sleep. 00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:51.899 And when you do that, remember, your eyes are not on yourself or your circumstances, but instead it's like the hymn. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:54.299 You ask that God will be your vision. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:59.379 Oh, Lord of my heart, not be all else to me, save that thou art. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:09.920 Thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence, my sight. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:12.500 And notice how God delivers that. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:14.300 He says, the Lord sustained me. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:19.820 And when he wakes up, he says in verse six, I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people. 00:19:20.280 --> 00:19:25.200 Says though they assail me on every side, they have set themselves against me round about. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:34.700 David, this accused sinner, this disgraced man, he can rest knowing that he belongs to God by grace alone. 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:38.200 His salvation is out of his hands. 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.059 He is so helpless. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:44.180 But it is God who makes him be able to lay down and sleep. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:51.080 We don't know what David was reflecting on, but we do know that this language echoes God's promise. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:53.039 And we know that that's a biblical principle. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:20:00.200 You take what God has promised in his word and you meditate on the promises of God and find comfort for your soul. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:06.379 Listen to the language of Leviticus 26, verse six and see how similar this sounds. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:10.839 If this is the promise for God's people as they're about to dwell in the land in Leviticus, 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:18.960 God says, I will grant peace in the land and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:25.319 Now, David's testimony in verse six, I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people having laid down. 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:33.279 God is a God who will make peace for the land according to his promise, even if it's not for David and his kingdom. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:42.319 So this rejected soul, this cursed embarrassment, he can wake up to a new day that God made. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:49.619 And he can say, God sustains even a man like me because salvation is of the Lord. 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:54.559 Now, David's outward circumstances have not changed overnight. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.519 Nothing happened. 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:57.759 They are not improved the next day. 00:20:58.179 --> 00:21:00.460 His situation externally is no better. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:06.339 But inwardly, David is no longer paralyzed by fear. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:13.720 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and his mercies, they never come to an end. 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:16.079 They are new every morning. 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:19.799 Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:26.139 So David rests in the Lord, his life, whatever is left of his life at this point, 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:35.220 knowing that he belongs to the Lord, body and soul, that his salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:43.779 The fourth gleaning is that the victory, the power, the salvation and the blessing for God's people, 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:46.299 they belong to the Lord alone. 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:49.139 This is his conclusion of verses seven and eight. 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:55.259 David prays just as he woke up, liberated from those fears. 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:58.679 He woke up and he said, arise, O Lord, save me, O my God. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.779 But then he recounts God's work in the past. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:05.079 In the past tense, he says, thou hast smitten. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:12.339 You have struck all mine enemies upon the jawbone and you have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:17.920 One commentator pointed out how often these psalms of petition, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.980 where he's asking God to rise up and act on his behalf, 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:25.700 they frequently cite the words of the enemies, the wicked, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:30.240 in order to give especially vivid picture of the brutality coming at them. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:33.420 And by citing what was what was coming at the psalmist, 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:37.220 it turns it on its head back at them by the strength of the Lord. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:42.380 And this is graphic language describing God's power over the enemies. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:48.880 Another commentator said the psalms confront us with a world full of enmity and violence. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:52.900 And those who prayed these psalms, they screamed out their terrors. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:23:00.820 In the psalms, they struggle against their fears and against the pictures of their enemies that arise out of those fears. 00:23:01.800 --> 00:23:09.120 The psalms of enmity are a way of robbing the aggressive images of the enemy of any real power. 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:18.719 Dave is describing the enemies as beasts of prey that are coming to devour him and attack him using their teeth as their weapons. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:24.479 And he declares that God has robbed the enemies of any real power. 00:23:25.219 --> 00:23:26.939 He's broken their teeth. 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.419 They cannot bite him. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:34.779 There was one other man who declared that salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:37.320 And it was at his lowest point. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.039 Where did you hear that last? 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.840 Do you remember Jonah, the prophet Jonah? 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:46.000 In the pit of the ocean, in the belly of this big fish. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.960 Zero hope of helping himself or saving himself. 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:53.580 And he declares salvation is of the Lord. 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.880 That's the picture. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:56.620 Peter, David at his lowest point. 00:23:56.800 --> 00:23:58.580 Jonah at his lowest point. 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.460 But yet, there's hope in God and who God is. 00:24:02.520 --> 00:24:10.760 See, 2 Samuel 7, we were given this promise that the scepter will not depart from David's house. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:14.820 And David, at this point, he likely has no idea how this is going to happen. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.860 Maybe it will be Absalom. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.360 He's deferring to the Lord. 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:19.800 This is God's story with Israel, not his. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:23.659 In Psalm 2, we read how God said, 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:26.700 I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:30.359 He will inherit the nations. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:34.339 These are the promises that God has set forth for Israel. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:38.240 We don't know how it's going to happen through David at this point. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.879 But David knows one thing, and that's verse 8. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:44.339 He knows that salvation belongs to the Lord alone. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.419 From the Lord comes deliverance. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:51.240 Thy blessing is on thy people. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.640 Whose people are they? 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:54.019 They're the Lord's people. 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:56.360 And whose blessing is it to give? 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:58.880 It's the blessing of the Lord alone. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:01.660 Remember that principle from Psalms 1 and 2? 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:04.080 As goes the king, so goes the kingdom. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:08.460 David is confessing, I deserve nothing. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:11.300 Therefore, I have nothing I can give the people. 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.580 I cannot bless them. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:17.699 And if it's true that as goes me as the king, as I go, so goes God's people. 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:20.419 Then I want to detach myself from that. 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.619 Let someone else be the king. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:24.139 David said, these are your people, God. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:28.980 And if there's going to be blessing, it must come from you or your king, not me. 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:41.099 We need to trust that God keeps his promises to you, just like he kept his promises through David to his people in Israel. 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:43.620 Not because of David's merit. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:46.039 Not because of my merit or your merit. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:48.680 But because of God's character. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.620 Because of who God is. 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:54.180 Your salvation depends on God alone. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:58.500 Like David, we need to look to the king on his holy hill. 00:25:58.640 --> 00:26:03.080 We need to declare his victory, his salvation, and his blessings. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:08.279 We need to declare whenever we share the gospel, salvation is of God alone. 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:13.560 When you tell your testimony, you should say, this is how God saved me. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:16.860 That's the biblical way to tell about your salvation. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:19.120 How do you know God saved you? 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:24.859 I know because I have to give God all the glory. 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:28.359 It was God who saved me because of who he is. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:31.159 Not because of any merit on my part. 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:39.019 Well, those are the four gleanings from these verses of Psalm 3. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:42.119 But now I need to also draw three contrasts. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:45.959 We need to contrast King David with the great king. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:49.400 Who Jesus came to the Pharisees, confronted them, and said, 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.279 Explain this psalm to me. 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:54.240 How can it be David's son and also David's Lord? 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:57.279 See, the promises are there through David. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.660 Through the Davidic line. 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.019 But how will that happen? 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:04.559 And Jesus, taking on the flesh for three years of ministry. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.900 He pulls back the divine counsel. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:09.519 He pulls back the decree of God and reveals. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:13.620 This is how God stays true to his covenant promises. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:16.939 My first contrast is this. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:22.539 King Jesus deserves worship, but instead was hated. 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.939 Verse 1. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:28.139 Jesus could pray this. 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:31.359 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:34.539 Many are they that rise up against me. 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:37.139 In Matthew 27, 22. 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:39.759 Pilate asks, 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:42.920 What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called the Messiah? 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.220 And they answered him, 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.440 Crucify him. 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.820 Pilate says, 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.180 Why? 00:27:48.020 --> 00:27:49.800 What crime has he committed? 00:27:51.020 --> 00:27:51.840 Pilate asked, 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.700 But they shouted all the louder, 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.440 Crucify him. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.840 Jesus deserves worship, 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.540 but instead was hated. 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:04.099 Jesus could pray like verse 2. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:06.119 There, many there be, 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.859 would say of my soul, 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.980 there is no help for him and God. 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.299 God will not deliver him. 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.700 In Luke 23, 25, 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:18.440 the people stood watching Jesus on the cross. 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:21.079 And the rulers even sneered at him. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.599 They said, 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.099 He saved others. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.700 Let him save himself. 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:26.420 If he is God's Messiah, 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.420 the chosen one. 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:31.440 See, David's son and David's Lord, 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.460 Jesus Christ, 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:34.320 identified with sinners, 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.519 such as me, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.759 such as you, 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:38.460 and such as David, 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:41.980 to save you by grace alone, 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.680 because salvation is his. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.320 David was sinful. 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.960 Christ is sinless. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.420 David was a man of blood. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.980 Christ is the prince of peace. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.860 David was powerless. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:59.139 And Christ is all powerful. 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:02.259 David could not save himself. 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.919 God saved him. 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:06.579 And Christ could save himself. 00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:08.740 But he did not. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:11.019 He did not call the angels down 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.159 to get him off the cross. 00:29:13.219 --> 00:29:14.699 David deserved punishment, 00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:17.519 but he lived by God's grace. 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.819 And Christ, 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.500 the giver of life, 00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:22.219 he died that you and I 00:29:22.219 --> 00:29:25.219 might be saved from our sin, 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:28.380 that we could live with him forevermore, 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:31.200 because he is a God of salvation. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:35.400 That's why we declare Christ exalted 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.860 is our song. 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:38.580 The man of sorrows, 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.180 mocked and tried, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:43.600 bore the judgment for our wrongs, 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.980 for our sins was crucified. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:49.539 And the second contrast is that King Jesus, 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.819 he set aside his glory. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:55.399 He made his body a shield. 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:58.859 He let his head drop 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:02.119 in order to save his enemies. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:08.119 We're told in John that God tabernacled on earth. 00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:11.879 The prince of heaven from the holy hill, 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.559 Mount Zion in heaven, 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:16.779 he came down to earth 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:20.899 and he marched up the Mount of Calvary instead. 00:30:21.739 --> 00:30:24.319 And he fulfilled and transformed 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.699 the hill of Jerusalem. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:29.680 In verse three of Psalm three, 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.759 we read thou Lord, 00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:32.819 and we can read it back now 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:35.259 in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.160 You became a shield for me, 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.180 my glory, 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:40.360 the lifter of my head, 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.880 because salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.420 Come, 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.620 oh, 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:45.900 sinner, 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.740 we sing, 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:48.080 come rejoice. 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:50.620 Mercy fills this place of scorn, 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:53.420 for he dies to save his enemies, 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:56.980 that all who draw near may know his peace. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:57.720 Come, 00:30:57.800 --> 00:30:57.940 oh, 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.140 sinner, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.080 come rejoice. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:01.100 Through the death of Christ, 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.100 death is destroyed. 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:06.720 The spirit shielded his glory 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:08.400 in his incarnation. 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.580 And Jesus, 00:31:09.800 --> 00:31:10.840 through his entire life, 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.980 remained sinless until the very end. 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:16.940 And the spirit lifted his head with power. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:19.300 And Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:20.019 like verse four, 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:22.440 I cried out unto the Lord with my voice, 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:24.440 and he heard me out of his holy hill. 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.660 In Romans 5.10, 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.220 we read that, 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:29.140 for while we were enemies, 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.920 we were reconciled to God 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:32.200 by the death of his son, 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.080 much more. 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.440 Now that we are reconciled, 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:37.440 shall we be saved by his life? 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:40.340 And what was it that our Lord cried out 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.100 from the cross? 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.559 With his final breaths, 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.880 as we sing, 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:47.259 hear the love of his refrain. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.360 He cried out, 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.100 Father, 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.600 please forgive them, 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.719 my enemies, 00:31:53.219 --> 00:31:54.959 as he bears the bitter weight 00:31:54.959 --> 00:31:57.379 of guilt and condemnation. 00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:02.099 Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life. 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.219 Verse five, 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.919 I laid down and slept, 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.719 and I awakened, 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:10.039 so that Jesus would take up his life again. 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:12.240 The Lord kept his soul. 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:14.259 The Lord sustained his body 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.639 from seeing decay, 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:18.339 so that he would be in his glorified state 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.659 and his resurrection. 00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:22.480 The third contrast 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.179 is that salvation 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:26.639 and blessing for God's people 00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:29.839 come from the hand of King Jesus. 00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.959 John Gill pointed out 00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:33.579 that when Christ was engaged 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:35.279 with all the powers of darkness, 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:37.179 with the sorrows of death, 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:39.039 compassed him about, 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:41.639 yet he failed not. 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:43.480 That's the end of his quote. 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.080 Well, 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.960 we read in Psalm 3, 00:32:46.040 --> 00:32:46.600 verse 6, 00:32:47.820 --> 00:32:49.400 through the gospel of King Jesus, 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:51.259 that if Jesus is your king, 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.759 you need not be afraid 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.580 of ten thousands 00:32:53.580 --> 00:32:55.340 of people on every side 00:32:55.340 --> 00:32:56.780 that have set themselves 00:32:56.780 --> 00:32:58.000 against him. 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:01.720 Why does God save sinners? 00:33:02.280 --> 00:33:03.240 Why does God do it? 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.960 This is one of the five solas 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.759 of the Reformation, 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.640 Soli Deo Gloria. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:10.360 We get this doctrine 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.220 from many places. 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:12.380 An important one is 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.860 Isaiah 48, verse 9, 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.460 which says, 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:16.140 For my name's sake, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.320 I defer my anger. 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:19.120 For the sake of my praise, 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:21.140 I restrain it for you, 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:24.420 that I may not cut you off. 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.380 Why? 00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.380 God says, 00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.340 For my sake, 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.920 for my own sake, 00:33:29.040 --> 00:33:29.980 I do it. 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:32.600 For how should my name be profaned? 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.780 My glory, 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:36.740 I will not give to another. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.220 For my sake, 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.740 I will not give to another. 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.519 Soli Deo Gloria. 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:44.200 Salvation and blessing 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.240 for God's people 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.559 come from the hand 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.460 of King Jesus. 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.940 As goes the king, 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.079 so goes his kingdom. 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.579 Do you see this being played out now? 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:53.799 Not by elevating a man like David, 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:56.759 by pushing David as low as could be 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:58.759 to elevate Jesus Christ, 00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.599 the true king. 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:02.099 David knew 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:04.839 that he could not bless the nation, 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:07.839 but the Lord's gracious blessing 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:09.559 is upon his people 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:11.199 from the hand of King Jesus. 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:14.860 David did not plan his own salvation. 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.920 He didn't escape and mastermind 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.000 this great military thing. 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.480 He'd done that plenty of times. 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:21.559 That's not what he chooses to do here. 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:23.960 He knows salvation must come from the Lord. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:26.340 David did not accomplish his own salvation, 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:29.119 and David did not apply it to the nation 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.779 to bless them by his might. 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:33.900 From the hand of King Jesus, 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.820 we see that it was the Lord 00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:37.240 all along who planned 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:39.400 the salvation of his people 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:41.060 from eternity past 00:34:41.060 --> 00:34:42.620 in the covenant of redemption. 00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:43.840 It was the Lord 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.800 who accomplished God's salvation 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:47.420 of sinners on the cross, 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.900 and it is the same Lord 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:50.680 who applies that salvation 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:52.720 by the power of the Holy Spirit 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.880 to regenerate, 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.840 to lift up the head 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:57.320 of those who are spiritually dead 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:59.280 so they will behold Jesus 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:01.140 as the king on his holy hill 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:02.680 through whom all blessings 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:04.180 come to his people. 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.700 It's through King Jesus 00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:09.720 that we have peace on earth 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:11.519 like the hymn we sing at Christmas 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.760 and mercy mild, 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:15.559 God and sinners reconciled. 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.720 That's why we call now 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.360 for ourselves, 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.340 for all the nations, 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.220 joyful all ye nations, 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.760 rise, 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:24.620 join the triumph of the skies, 00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:27.059 glory to the king. 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:29.200 Soli Deo Gloria. 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:32.100 God's salvation and blessings 00:35:32.100 --> 00:35:34.760 come from the hand of King Jesus. 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:37.940 Salvation belongs to the Lord alone. 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:40.960 He is a God of salvation. 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.900 That's what he does. 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.580 I've been praying 00:35:45.580 --> 00:35:47.840 that you would simply grasp that truth, 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.860 not just with your mind, 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.920 but for your life, 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.880 for your soul, 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:51.820 for your conscience, 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.660 that salvation, 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.000 your salvation, 00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:55.559 it belongs to the Lord. 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:58.000 He brought salvation 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:00.179 from David's broken line 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:02.400 to fulfill his prophecies 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:04.279 for Christ to save you. 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:06.299 In Luke chapter 1, verse 67, 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.880 John the Baptist's dad, 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:09.539 the high priest Zechariah, 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.460 listen to what he said. 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:12.099 Blessed be the Lord, 00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:12.860 God of Israel, 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.960 for he has visited 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.559 and redeemed his people. 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.920 He has raised up 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.079 a horn of salvation 00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:19.280 for us 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.300 in the house 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.599 of his servant David. 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.900 And as he spoke 00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:24.639 by the mouth 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:25.740 of his holy prophets 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.480 from old, 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.960 so he has done. 00:36:28.740 --> 00:36:30.340 Salvation belongs 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.440 to the Lord. 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:34.139 He sits on the throne 00:36:34.139 --> 00:36:35.079 of his holy hill, 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:36.440 the kingdom of heaven, 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:38.099 and from that throne 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.579 he descended. 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:41.800 He came to save you. 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.980 He did what David 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:46.300 could only long 00:36:46.300 --> 00:36:47.599 to have been able to do. 00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:50.220 There's no better illustration 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:51.740 for what God did 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.760 in sending his son 00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.559 to save you 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:56.659 than from this context itself. 00:36:57.220 --> 00:36:59.000 In 2 Samuel chapter 18, 00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:00.740 Absalom dies. 00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:03.079 And then we read 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.579 that the king 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.899 was much moved 00:37:04.899 --> 00:37:06.699 and went up to the chamber 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.479 over the gate 00:37:07.479 --> 00:37:08.219 and wept. 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.039 And as he went, 00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:10.979 thus he said, 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:12.599 O my son Absalom, 00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.279 my son, 00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:14.839 my son Absalom. 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.259 Listen to what David says. 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:18.079 Would God that I 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:20.099 had died for thee, 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.319 O Absalom, 00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.419 my son, 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.659 my son. 00:37:25.759 --> 00:37:26.239 Do you see? 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:29.039 David could only long 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.619 to go back 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.659 and die in the place 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.579 of his enemy, 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:33.000 his son Absalom, 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.920 to save him 00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:35.099 that he could live 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:36.359 by David dying. 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.539 And what David 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.719 could only long to do, 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:40.359 God has done. 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:42.019 He came down 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:43.480 and he took on flesh 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.299 and he died 00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:45.139 in the place 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:46.059 of sinners 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.940 who were once 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:47.619 his enemies 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:49.500 so that they could live 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.980 and receive 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.879 all the blessings 00:37:50.879 --> 00:37:52.679 that he got for them, 00:37:52.839 --> 00:37:53.879 the blessings of heaven 00:37:53.879 --> 00:37:54.960 from the hand 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.920 of King Jesus. 00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:57.119 He did it. 00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.199 Salvation belongs 00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:00.919 to the Lord. 00:38:01.319 --> 00:38:02.819 When Satan tempts you, 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.619 then your tempter 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.739 becomes your accuser 00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:08.480 and you see your ugliness. 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.439 Ask the Lord 00:38:11.439 --> 00:38:12.539 to lift your head. 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.759 In Luke 1, 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:15.819 that same prophet, 00:38:15.939 --> 00:38:16.439 Zechariah, 00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:16.899 he said, 00:38:17.339 --> 00:38:18.319 that we should be saved 00:38:18.319 --> 00:38:19.119 from our enemies. 00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.379 That's why he sent his son, 00:38:20.739 --> 00:38:21.159 that we, 00:38:21.359 --> 00:38:21.939 being delivered 00:38:21.939 --> 00:38:22.619 from the hand 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.319 of our enemies, 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.939 might serve him 00:38:24.939 --> 00:38:26.000 with fear. 00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:27.940 God saves you 00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:29.179 by his glory alone. 00:38:29.260 --> 00:38:29.440 Why? 00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:31.179 That you will serve him 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.880 with fear. 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:34.139 That you will not be puffed up 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:35.960 and think you're above the law. 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.119 He saves you 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:38.039 that you will belong 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.800 to his kingdom 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:40.380 and that he will rule 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.099 over you, 00:38:41.679 --> 00:38:42.219 his people. 00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:45.099 Salvation belongs 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.900 to the Lord. 00:38:46.300 --> 00:38:47.599 We're called to serve him 00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:48.739 now with fear 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:50.960 in this present evil age. 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.840 By doing that, 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:54.539 he is preparing your soul 00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:56.199 to worship him 00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:57.679 in the age to come 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:58.740 and for all eternity. 00:38:59.380 --> 00:39:00.659 That's what Ralph read for us 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:01.699 in Revelation 7. 00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.280 Did you catch 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:03.960 that same refrain? 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.480 I'll read the section here. 00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:08.079 A great multitude 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:08.699 in heaven 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.920 that no one could number 00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:11.000 from every nation, 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:12.179 from all tribes 00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.900 and peoples 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.659 and languages, 00:39:14.220 --> 00:39:15.920 standing before the throne 00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:17.300 and before the Lamb, 00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:19.500 clothed in white robes 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.460 with palm branches, 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.599 in their hands, 00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:22.460 a sign of victory. 00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:25.360 They cried out 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.500 with a loud voice, 00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:28.360 Salvation belongs 00:39:28.360 --> 00:39:29.280 to our God 00:39:29.280 --> 00:39:31.059 who sits on the throne 00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:32.679 and to the Lamb. 00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:34.539 And all the angels 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:35.679 were standing 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.639 around the throne 00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.760 and around the elders 00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:39.300 and the four living creatures 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:40.099 and they all fell 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.900 on their faces 00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:42.360 before the throne 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:44.360 and worshipped God. 00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:47.420 God is a God 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:48.199 of salvation. 00:39:49.280 --> 00:39:50.159 Behold him. 00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:52.699 Cry out to him. 00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:54.880 Rest in him. 00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.699 Rise up with him 00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:59.559 and receive the riches 00:39:59.559 --> 00:40:00.340 of heaven 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:02.019 from his hand. 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:03.460 Salvation belongs 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.579 to the Lord. 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:06.599 Amen. 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.519 Let's pray. 00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:11.159 From Philippians 127. 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:14.839 Lord, by your power, 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:17.579 make our manner of life 00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:18.519 to be worthy 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.839 of the gospel of Christ. 00:40:20.399 --> 00:40:21.659 Make us stand firm 00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:22.599 in one spirit 00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:24.019 with one mind, 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:25.920 striving side by side 00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:26.639 for the faith 00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:27.399 of the gospel. 00:40:28.239 --> 00:40:29.639 Make us no longer 00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:30.159 frightened. 00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:31.879 Make us certain 00:40:31.879 --> 00:40:32.940 of our salvation 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:34.480 and that from God. 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.940 Make us see 00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:37.079 that we are saved 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:38.099 for the sake 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:38.839 of Christ. 00:40:38.840 --> 00:40:40.740 and make us 00:40:40.740 --> 00:40:41.700 not only believe 00:40:41.700 --> 00:40:42.079 in him 00:40:42.079 --> 00:40:42.660 but also 00:40:42.660 --> 00:40:43.640 to be ready 00:40:43.640 --> 00:40:44.300 to suffer 00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:46.160 for his namesake 00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:46.700 we ask. 00:40:47.120 --> 00:40:47.400 Amen. 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:50.320 Take a moment 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:51.140 to reflect 00:40:51.140 --> 00:40:52.360 on the long gospel 00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:52.960 that you've heard 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.980 preached from Psalm 3. 00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.619 Amen. 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.039 Amen. 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:55.820 chten 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.440 Listen.