The Daily Psalm

The Daily Psalm: Growing in God through Praying the Psalms

The Daily Psalm: A Devotional by Mark D. Roberts, encouraging prayer based on the Psalms. Learn how to pray the Psalms.

January 3, 2006

But you, O LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

Psalm 3:3

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Psalm 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
1   O LORD, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2   many are saying to me,
    “There is no help for you in God.”  Selah
3   But you, O LORD, are a shield around me,
    my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4   I cry aloud to the LORD,
    and he answers me from his holy hill.  Selah
5   I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
6   I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all         around.
7   Rise up, O LORD!
    Deliver me, O my God!
  For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.
8   Deliverance belongs to the LORD;
    may your blessing be on your people!  Selah

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 3:3)

Gracious God, You are the One who lifts up my head. When I am discouraged, You comfort me. When I am exhausted, You give me strength. When I am ashamed, You forgive me and restore me. When I am besieged, You surround me with Your love. You alone are my hope. You are my salvation. All praise be to You, dear Father, for Your tender mercies to me.

Postscript

In Hebrew, the expression "to lift up the head" of someone means to honor that person. So, for example, this is what Pharoah did to his cupbearer, in fulfillment of Joseph's interpretation of the cupbearer's dream (see Gen 40:12-21). Those who lift up their own heads are pridefully sinning (Psalm 140:9). In Psalm 3, God lifts up David's head in order to honor him and as a sign of divine favor and protection.

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The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved