Psalms 3:2

There is no help for him in God.

Help in God

David had grieved God, and God had threatened to “raise up evil against him out of his own house.” The threatening was fulfilled in the rebellion of Absalom. Then he seemed so helpless that, in the language of mockery and exultation, his enemies said, “There is no help for him m God.” But David was not altogether cast down. He did not give way to despondency; he placed his confidence and found his refuge in the protection of Almighty God. From all he had been taught to believe, and from all that he had been privileged to feel respecting the ways of His providence, he was fully persuaded that light would rise out of darkness, and order out of confusion, and safety out of peril. Thus it should be with all who have that deep and enlightened piety by which David was distinguished. The time of affliction is the time for trying faith and patience, for manifesting the energy and perfection which belong to them, and for enjoying the consolation which they are so well fitted to impart. It matters not what your trials and your sorrows be; your support and your solacement remain unchangeably the same. The larger sorrows are as much within the reach of God’s sovereign and absolute control as is the most inconsiderable evil that can possibly befall you. Suppose your distresses are the result of your transgression, still do not despond, or allow your confidence in God as your God to be impaired. You would have cause for despair if you hardened yourselves against Him, but none if you are penitent. He is neither vindictive nor relentless. Beholding you in the face of Jesus Christ, He becomes your Father, your Protector, and your Friend. Amidst all his sins and sufferings the Psalmist had recourse to the exercises of devotion. He retired into his secret chambers, or he went into the public sanctuary and addressed himself to God in prayer and supplication. To be successful in prayer we must seek in the appointed way, “out of His holy hill.” Whatever be the evils we suffer, let this great truth be firmly believed in and constantly remembered--“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord.” (A. Thomson, D. D.)

Psalms 3:2; Psalms 3:4; Psalms 3:8

Selah.

Stop and think

That seems to sum up the several meanings of the word “Selah.” Some say it is a direction to the musicians to play an interlude while the singers ceased; some regard it as a direction to the players to stop and tune their instruments. Others see an injunction to raise heart and voice, harp and organ, to their fullest capacity. Others see a reference to eternity, as if one interposed, “World without end, Amen!” Many regard the word as equivalent to certain well-known signs in music, bidding you turn back and repeat. In any case, it is as if a solemn rock (“sela”) stood right across our path, bidding us “stop and think.” On the ground of this injunction meet all meanings, however divergent they seem. “No help for him in God.” Stop and think. Selah looks forward as well as back. God has been a shield for David; He can also lift up his head once more, and invest him with glory, the sunshine of the Divine countenance. For us who conduct the services of God’s house, “Selah” has a message. It bids the preacher rightly divide the word of truth. It bids him compare truth with truth, bringing out things new and old, and fixing each in its most telling place. It says--tune your hearts, voices, instruments. Seek inspiration, do justice to the Divine message and the gospel song, so that with holy passion, and sacred emphasis, and heart-felt pathos you shall lead our hearts to God, and incite our minds to things eternal. (Michael Eastwood.)