The great King David experienced his fair share of struggles in his life: bullying from his brothers, attempts on his life from King Saul, the death of some of his children and betrayal from his sons to name just some. It is this last wound which is the painful context for Psalm 3 – the jealousy and greed of his son Absalom which led him to try to take his father’s throne (see 2 Samuel 13–19). 

The context may be traumatic, but David, in all this pain, is able to lift his eyes to the Lord and see God’s profound care. To him, God is a ‘shield’ and the one who ‘lifts’ him up (v 3). He is a personal God who not only hears the prayers of the king but ‘answers’ them too (v 4). This personal care extends to giving him the breath he needs to live each day. If David wakes each morning it is ‘because the Lord sustains me’ (v 5). David sees that although he may be the king of God’s chosen people, he is still reliant on God for every breath that leaves his lungs. He is sustained by God during struggle and challenge, joy and delight.