The hour the sun comes up is an excellent time for me to pray. I ask God for help, and I pray for many people. However, the break of a new day is also a beautiful reminder of why I should praise and trust in the Almighty.

David wrote the Third Psalm as he fled from his son, Absalom. It is a psalm of trust in which his opposition is recognized, his dependence on the Lord is declared, and vindication is begged (Olbricht). Through it all, the Psalmist reminds his readers that the Lord God will rise and deliver!

DAVID’S CONCERN (1-2)
Notice how David refers to God in making his appeal: Lord and God. He not only has supreme power but also has a relationship with the ousted king. David felt alone and outnumbered, and almost seems to ask, “Are you hearing how they talk of you God? Do You want to jeopardize Your reputation by not helping?”

DAVID’S CONFIDENCE (3-4)
Notice the military man using a military word, “Shield” –  a word he will often use to describe the Lord’s protection. He also calls Him the lifter of his head. When strength has been lost before, the Lord has been there! So, he cries out to the Lord because of his pain. The Lord answered from the Holy Mountain (Mt. Zion, the place of the Ark of the Covenant).

DAVID’S CONTENTMENT (5-6)
How does one lie down and sleep without trust and faith? How does one face an uncertain tomorrow without a sure and sound foundation? Knowing God loves us brings peace. David will not let fear paralyze him. The righteous always have many enemies, but they serve a God who cares.

DAVID’S CONCLUSION (7-8)
David may be remembering past events in which God delivered him. More likely he is so confident that he speaks as if the Lord’s deliverance already happened. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and David trusts He will save him from the present crisis.

I find it both exciting and comforting how David puts it in verse five. In essence, he says, “I slept, but the Lord did not.” When we sleep, He is ever awake and watching. When we are weak, He is strong. When we are unsure, He is stable. When we are confused, His truth remains. What a blessing it is to begin a new day knowing we have a Lord in Whom we can put our trust. To adapt the words of Henry Johnstone’s prayer,

“Now I rise up from my sleep.

The Good Shepherd watched o’er His sheep

If this be the last day I wake,

Then may I live it for His sake.

If I should live until tonight

I trust God will let me sleep tight.”

Corey Sawyers