The Psalms were primarily written by David and as such, contain prayers, laments, and exultations which were given to him, through the many trying and comforting experiences of his life. However, if all we see in this glorious book is nothing more than that, then we have missed the underlying TRUTH which is the very essence of this volume. For this is not merely a collection of David’s (and a few other’s) thoughts and prayers, but rather an open look into the very soul sufferings; declarations of triumph; and prophetic utterances of our blessed REDEEMER, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
This particular Psalm is titled, “A Psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.” (Psa.3:1) Absalom sought to attain unto the throne of his father and ultimately to destroy him, that he might rule and reign unto his own glory. He displayed his innate treachery and hypocrisy as he feigned remorse (see II Sam.14:33) for his murderous ways (see II Sam.13:28-29) only to conspire with his tempter (i.e.; Joab) to steal the place of power from his own father. (see II Sam.15:10-13)
David’s love for his wicked son is on full display in the scriptures which record the entire unfolding of this poignant event. His primary concern was not the destruction of Absalom, but his welfare, all the while that Absalom was intent on his father’s demise. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) When news of Absalom’s death (at the very hand of the one who claimed to be his advocate and helper, i.e.; Joab) came to David he cried with one of the most powerful lamentations found in all of scripture, asserting his love for his son and his willingness to die in his place. “And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2Sam 18:33) That willingness to die for his treacherous son, which David could only express a desire for, our LORD did fully demonstrate, in fact, as HE lay down HIS own life that HIS children who are unthankful, wicked, and worthy of destruction, might be given the gift of LIFE through HIS redemptive work in their behalf.
One can only imagine the grief that gripped the heart of David as he looked upon one who was his offspring, lifting up his hands of rebellion against him. No one could love Absalom the way that David did. Those loyal to David would gladly have seen Absalom killed for his insolence and had no concern for his wellbeing. Even Joab who in many ways was the instigator of this debacle, proved his own self-serving nature when he gladly killed a helpless and pitiful Absalom in direct disobedience to David’s wishes. He was only loyal to himself and his own aspirations, much as we see Judas as he betrayed the LORD for thirty pieces of silver. Joab willingly added to David’s grief.
As we survey the soul sufferings which David expressed, we are led to see that these are the very soul sufferings of CHRIST HIMSELF as HE walked among men whom HE came to deliver and yet many of those for whom HE shed HIS precious blood, were among those who sought to destroy HIM. Truly HE was a MAN of sorrows familiar with grief. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isa 53:3-4) “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:10-11) Was there ever any grief like HIS? Surely David sorrowed for a season, but our LORD sweat as it were great drops of blood as HE poured out HIS soul unto death, even the death of the cross for the sake of those for whom HE would be a SAVIOR.
When the LORD JESUS cried out that HE was forsaken, HE prayed not for HIMSELF, HE sought not HIS own deliverance, but rather cried out for our sakes, for we were truly outcasts, condemned by the law, yet beloved by HIM. HE underwent our desolation, HE felt our pain, HE bore our sins, and HE wept for us. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:7-8) Though HE was being crushed to death under the load of our guilt, HE never faltered, had second thoughts, or sought ease for HIS own suffering, but was mindful of our needs, felt our pain, and died our death.
HE did all of this as a perfect MAN, loving HIS people and above all seeking the glory of HIS FATHER’s NAME as HE learned (i.e.; manifested openly) obedience by the things which HE suffered in our behalf. Thus, we understand that HE had one motivation, which was to do the will of HIS FATHER. “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30) It is HIS FATHER’s will that none of those which the FATHER had given to HIM, should perish, and HE gladly suffered in the room and stead of HIS elect as their SUBSTITUTE, SACRIFICE, and REDEEMER. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:38-39)
David cried out, believing that the LORD would deliver him from the oppressor. CHRIST cried out manifesting that deliverance which HE wrought with HIS own hands. “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” (Isa 63:3-6)
The deliverance of HIS people is seen as HE has accomplished three things in their behalf. One is that HE has satisfied the claims of the Law which condemns every man born of Adam’s race. For the wages of sin is death and all have sinned, coming short of the glory of HIM who will not look upon sin. This HE did as HE paid the price for their sin by the shedding of HIS blood as an “atonement” for their sins. The blood of bulls and goats (i.e.; any offering or obedience involving the activity of men) could never take away sin. But CHRIST being come as that PERFECT SACRIFICE did indeed cancel the power of the Law to condemn the sons of GOD. “If thou hast my discharge procured, And freely in my room endured The whole of wrath divine, Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine.” (by Toplady, #227 Gadsby’s Hymns)
Number two is that HE has silenced all of the accusers of the brethren, taking away any grounds that they might have to bring charge against those whom HE loves. HE has truly smitten them on the “cheek bone” and “broken their teeth.” Their blood is upon HIS garments as HE says in Isaiah 63. For HE has made HIS brethren righteous in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS wherein they cannot be assailed, even by their own conscience. “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (1John 3:20) There is no condemnation to those who are in CHRIST JESUS.
Number three is that HE has reconciled them unto HIMSELF by that which HE alone has done. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” (Col 1:21) By nature we were born enemies to and rebels against the LORD. As HE is pleased to awaken HIS children out of the deadness of their sin, they are caused to be reconciled to HIM through the blood of HIS cross. Even the “chief of sinners” must lay his arms of rebellion down when CHRIST calls and he looks upon HIM whom he pierced. Are you reconciled to GOD by the death of CHRIST?
mam