HE HEARD ME OUT OF HIS HOLY HILL

In Psalm 2. 6, “my holy hill of Zion” refers to the exalted millennial position of the Lord Jesus, but in Psalm 3 “his holy hill” is quite different. (The name “holy hill” also occurs in Psalm 15. 1; 43. 3; 99. 9.) The title given to Psalm 3 shows that this was a psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom, in particular 2 Samuel 15. The event occurred because of the governmental hand of God upon His servant David, on account of his sin with Bathsheba. God had said through Nathan the prophet, “the sword shall never depart from thine house”, 2 Sam. 12. 10.

Although David was forgiven, this sword remained: “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”, Gal. 6. 7. Thus David had to flee from Jerusalem because Absalom usurped the throne, for he had stolen “the hearts of the men of Israel”, 2 Sam. 15. 6. As he fled, David recognized that those who troubled him were increased, that they mocked him saying, “There is no help for him in God”, Psa. 3. 1, 2.

The rest of the psalm expressed his confidence in God; this could never be shaken in spite of God’s governmental dealings with him. It was thus that he said, “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill”, v. 4. The ark of the covenant on mount Zion was the centre of David’s religious aspirations; the priests knew this, and so they carried the ark up the mount of Olives as David fled. But the king would not allow this, and ordered the priests to take the ark back to the city, saying, “he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation”, 2 Sam. 15. 24-29.

The proper place for the ark was on God’s holy hill, and as an exile on the outside David knew this. He was weeping as he went up the mount of Olives, his head covered, and barefoot. Yet Psalm 3 tells us that David by prayer was so in contact with God on His holy hill, that he could sleep in safety, although thousands of enemies were around him. His confidence was that “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord”, v. 8, namely that he would be restored as king again in Jerusalem.

Like Peter in Acts 12. 6, we should have confidence to rest in safety, although surrounded by spiritual enemies.

“Prayer was made without ceasing … for him”, v. 5.