Psalm 3 is introduced as being of David (as are most in Book 1), written when he fled his son, Absalom (cf. 2 Samuel 15-18).
David feels that his current earthly circumstances are too much (vv.1-2). Despite this, he knows that God is bigger than whatever is happening for him or to him (v.3). Explaining his position (vv.4-7), David then finishes with a big, bold truth:
“The LORD delivers;
you show favour to your people.
(Selah)”
(Psalm 3.8)
David knows, for sure, that the Lord delivers.
David knows, for sure, that the Lord [shows] favour to [His] people.
His language is bold throughout Psalm 3: both in his negative and positive feelings, and this boldness is crowned with his statement on deliverance.
“The LORD delivers;
you show favour to your people.
(Selah)”
(Psalm 3.8)
For you and for me, if find ourselves in circumstances that would have us feeling like David in vv.1-2, we would do well to do what he did in vv.4-5. Rest, recuperate, and refocus on the Lord. The boldness of v.8 is now available to us each and every day. God has delivered us and shown us favour. God has already delivered us from the most desperate of circumstances through the person and work of Jesus (Romans 6.23, John 3.16, 1 John 2.2, Matthew 1.21, and many more verses state this truth).
Therefore, because of this truth, we can choose to view the trials and tribulations in our lives as insurmountable and those from which we believe God cannot save us (v.2), or, by faith, we can assert the truth that we have been delivered already, ultimately, and so
we know that all things, both good and bad, work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8.28).
Psalm 3 is not a magic incantation to remove troubles from our lives, but it is certainly a reminder of the proper perspective to hold when navigating them.
James Travis 