February 19, 2021 -- Psalm 3:7-8 -- The Warrior King Strikes His Enemies
/Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
Psalm 3:7-8 English Standard Version
The expression “arise, O LORD” at the start of our reading today is one often used when Israel is going to war. It is the LORD Who is “a man of war” (Exodus 15:3). Jesus is called “Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war” (Revelation 19:11). As New Testament believers you know your lives are filled with all kinds of warfare—political leaders celebrate abortion, the murderous practice that stops a beating heart. Chaplains in various positions in Canada are commanded not to proselytize—that is, chaplains paid by the government cannot actively evangelize the people with whom they are working. So much wickedness promulgated by government—overwhelmed, the psalmist cries out to God—Save your people!
The Psalmist has personally felt the attack of enemies, the taunts and mocking of those arrayed against him and prays—strike all my enemies on the cheek. The verb strike includes a range of meaning from hitting with force to incapacitating and on to striking so that someone dies. The writer is crying out to the LORD Who is the just judge to apply the force He knows is right so that the enemy will be vanquished or will be converted to be a fellow follower of the the LORD the Warrior-King.
The Psalmist finally knows he needs the LORD to conquer the most persistent enemy—the soundtrack of his brain—the very taunts of his enemies which have become the verbal sticks and stones which are crushing his bones and grinding his hope into dust “many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God”. Once again the writer asserts the Living God will bring His salvation. Any and every enemy will be defeated. Oh, take new courage believers—the LORD is the God of Salvation and Victory The eyes of faith see this. Read this psalm, pray it until the truth of God’s victory moves you to new boldness in His holy Name.
Our prayer today is Psalm 3.
O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
ESV
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