Closely related to Psalm 3 and also written by David, it is possible that this prayer was born in the same circumstances.

David begins with a cry for God to hear his prayer (v.1) and then shares his problem in v.2:

“You men, how long will you try to turn my honour into shame? 

How long will you love what is worthless 

and search for what is deceptive? (Selah)”

David’s reputation is being tarnished by others and his response is to pray for them to find another focus (v.3). The logic seems to be that if people are focusing on God and the life He desires us to live, they will have little capacity or desire for treating David so poorly (vv.4-5). Instead of living a self-focused live chasing after whatever and whoever promises the next high (v.6), David counsels his adversaries with the lived and experienced truth that [God makes us] happier than anything else and offers a peace and security found nowhere else (vv.7-8).

When we face problems, either the daily difficulties of life lived in a fallen world or the deeper disappointments the like of which David was experiencing here (v.1), we would do well to act in the way we read of in Psalm 3. Instead of looking to get even or to outdo his opponents in conflict, David turns his focus to the Lord and prays for his adversaries to focus on what really matters. This might be easy to read and write about, but it’s certainly not easy to put into practice.

Perhaps we should begin by returning our own focus to the Lord:

“Smile upon us, LORD!

You make me happier 

than those who have abundant grain and wine.

I will lie down and sleep peacefully, 

for you, LORD, make me safe and secure.”

(vv.6-8)

As we choose to set the Lord before ourselves in times of trouble (vv.6-8), we will find the desire for vengeance dissipating (vv.4-5). The joy and the contentment we find in the Lord are greater than any temporary equivalent found anywhere else, and the protection and provision found in God are greater than anything others can bring our way. Simply, when problems cross our path, our first response should be to return our own focus to the Lord.