Psalm Three We now look at David as an old testament hero.  He was that but he also had his share of enemies.   Some of these were of his own making.  He learned  though it all  that he could rely on God to Comfort him.  This psalm is an illustration of God's unconditional comfort and forgiveness. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. This psalm was written  when David was fleeing for his own life after Absalom took over the kingdom for a brief time. When a king took over, he often wanted to kill the former king.  In this case it did not matter that the former king was Absalom's father, David.   Many they be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. David was not without fault.  A short time before this David had an affair with Bathsheba  and had he husband, Uriah, killed so he could merry her.   Obviously, respect for David throughout the kingdom was shattered.  God had Just said that David  would be a king of war from now on because of this.  Many People probably said that God was through moving in David's life because of his sin.  David himself probably thought about giving up spiritually because he had sinned. But thou, O Lord art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter of my head. We find in this verse that God protects them that follow him.   He will sometimes let you behold his glory.  I cannot totally explain this except it is the revelation of an aspect for his purpose.  It is usually a very positive aspect.  I can help a person get through tough times.   An also he was the lifted up David's head.  This represents The Lords counseling in time of grieving.  It is the warming encouragement of The Lord. I Cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. David was needing encouragement and he knew exactly where to go.  He went to God in prayer.  He realized that God was the only one that could help him.   Nobody else could help him.  A lot of people were fighting against him.  The lord Then heard the cries of David.  I do not know whether this " holy hill" would be a literal hill or just David's attempt to associate God with a place.  The important fact is that God heard him and comforted him. I laid me down and slept; I awakened for the lord hath sustained me. David probably had to have known that many people could be out seeking for him.  Absalom was out to kill him and he knew that he probably had at least several people ( if not several hundred)looking for him.  Yet he was able to feel the peace of God in the situation.  He was even able to sleep and it was not at a five star hotel either.   It was probably on the ground while fleeing.  Then he was able to wake up and tell everybody through this psalm that the lord was his sustenance.   I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Here, David makes the situation look even more bleak.   He says that even though they may be ten thousand people out to get him he can still rest in the confidence of God.  Today God wants us , as Christians, to rest in him.  He does not want us to worry.   He will take care of us. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Here, David takes another step by praying.  He honestly believed that God could give him the strength to overcome a large army.  He writes about a cheek bone referring  to the time when God used Sampson to destroy an army.   Salvation belongeth to the lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. David, once again, reestablishes that the lord is his strength. He is also the strength of other people as well.