Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2026
Psalm 141
Introduction:
A. Here, we find David in another troublesome time of his life. This Psalm was written in retrospect. There is an old saying that hindsight is 20/20? David did not react in one way but he did in another.
1. The backdrop for this particular Psalm is likely found in 1 Samuel chapter 24, when David tried to escape Saul by hiding in a cave with his men. Saul then entered the cave, also with some of his men, and slept.
2. Now trapped, David’s men encouraged David to kill his enemy. There is a worldly theory that the best defense is a good offense. Though in some things, like basketball, where good defense produces good offense, it is not necessarily good advice spiritually.
3. David had an opportunity to take the life of Saul while he slept, but chose rather to cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe.
4. God smote David’s heart because he had stretched forth his hand against the anointed of the Lord.
B. In times of trouble, we often become reactionary instead of proactive.
1. We often call this a “knee-jerk.” No thought process before or during something that puts the believer in a hard place. With this in mind, I want to examine how David handled his predicament. He and his men are now trapped within the place of refuge that David chose. But the trapped place became a trap or an opportunity for reprisal against his pursuer, King Saul.
2. Proactive – tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events. Thinking before acting. Plan your plan and work your plan. Understanding the positive and negative results of our actions before proceeding.
3. Knee Jerk – an automatic response without thinking. There have been more than one occasion when I reacted without thinking, pausing to consider the problem and how to resolve it in a godly manner. Almost invariably, I have paid a price for my reaction.
4. There are times in life’s hard places when we are tempted to react. Reaction to harsh words. Reaction to harsh treatment. Reaction to betrayal or pressure. Proverbs 15:1
C. In this psalm, we find that David chose to be proactive in his predicament. He chose to respond in a less violent way, but not in the right way. Now, we see his assessment of his reaction.
1. Verses 1-2. David’s Dilemma. He is trapped in the cave by his enemies. David chose to find counsel in the Lord rather than in his men. To react with prayer instead of the flesh. Though we can find good counsel in men, we are not to put confidence in men. This is not an oxymoron but a realization that the counsel of men can be wrong, as they are also human. We are to weigh the validity of men’s counsel by seeking God’s counsel. Much is said in the Bible about wrong places of confidence. Our confidence is to be in the Lord.
a. David needed an immediate response. Psalms 141:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
b. David received immediate advice from his men, but not necessarily sound advice. When problems come upon us in a moment’s time, we need an answer quickly, and there is little or no time for us to say, “Wait for a little while and give me time to call my counselors.”
c. David’s men were ready for him to kill Saul, God’s anointed! David’s reaction was both spiritual and prayerful. David did not allow himself to be pressured into something that he knew was a wrong response.
2. Verses 3-4. David’s Desire.
a. Verse 3. Guard my lips. In times like these, we often say things in the heat of the moment that will come back to haunt us later.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
b. Verse 4. Guard my heart. In times like these, when we react, we often do things we would never do if we thought them through.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
c. Verse 5. Guard my spirit. We must keep the right spirit in hard times as others watch. David would later, in his penitential prayer in Psalm 51:10, say, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
3. Verses 5-7. David’s Determination. David was realistic! He fully understood that not everything works out for the child of God in this world. There will be times when we all suffer.
a. David was determined not to be moved from doing right during this hard time.
Acts 20:22-24 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: (23) Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (24) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
b. In the end, God will bring about justice. We are not to seek vengeance, as vengeance belongs to the Lord.
c. The battles that we face are not always easy, and the way will sometimes be hard. We will suffer in this world for righteousness; we will be persecuted because of godliness. We do not always win every battle, but we will win the war!
4. Verses 8-10. David’s Dependence. Whatever may come, God will always be with the child of God.
a. God will always be with the believer. Matthew 28:20b “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (The word “lo” is the second person singular imperative middle voice. It means Behold! To be sure of or to fully understand. It is used to draw attention.)
b. God will always give grace or a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Conclusion: When trouble comes suddenly, learn not to “knee-jerk” act, but instead to act. Be proactive instead of reactive.
1. Pray 2. Guard your mouth. 3. Guard your heart. 4. Guard your spirit. 5. Endure your hardships. 6. Looking unto Jesus. 7. Trust God with the outcome.
2. Never “Knee Jerk”. Be proactive by making up your mind before such an event occurs to act in a godly manner. I have learned to ask God for patience before I need it.
Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
3. Act instead of react, and there will be fewer regrets.
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