Psalms 3:1-8: a reflection

1LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. 2Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. 3But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4I cry to the LORD with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5I laid myself down and slept. I awakened, for the LORD sustains me. 6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side. 7Arise, LORD! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. 8Salvation belongs to the LORD. May your blessing be on your people. Selah.

David wrote this psalm while fleeing for his life, surrounded by enemies, with many rising against him and saying, There is no help for him in God. It is a desperate situation, and the taunt is that even God will not save him. But David answers with confidence: But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. And so, though tens of thousands set themselves against him, he can lie down and sleep, for the LORD sustains him.

Notice what David finds God to be in his distress: a shield around him, his glory, and the lifter of his head. Surrounded by enemies and told there was no help for him, David did not despair; he found God to be his protection, a shield on every side; his glory, his true honor and worth; and the lifter of his head, the one who raises the downcast. And so secure, he could do the most trusting thing of all: lie down and sleep in peace, in the midst of danger, because the LORD sustained him.

That is a picture of the peace God gives even in the midst of trouble. When we are surrounded by difficulties, opposed on every side, told there is no help for us, we can be overwhelmed with fear, unable even to rest. But God is a shield around his people, their glory, and the lifter of their heads; and those who trust him can rest even when trouble presses in. When you are surrounded by trouble, and it seems there is no help for you, remember what David found God to be: a shield around you, and the lifter of your head. Let him be your protection and your peace, so that even in the midst of danger you can rest, as David lay down and slept, because the LORD sustains you. The God who was David's shield and the lifter of his head is yours; trust him, and find peace to rest even when enemies press on every side.

Lord, David wrote this psalm surrounded by enemies who said there was no help for him in God; yet he answered with confidence, but you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head; and so secure, he could lie down and sleep, for you sustained him. Give me that peace even in the midst of trouble. When I am surrounded by difficulties, opposed on every side, told there is no help for me, I can be overwhelmed with fear, unable even to rest. But you are a shield around your people, their glory, and the lifter of their heads; and those who trust you can rest even when trouble presses in. When I am surrounded by trouble, and it seems there is no help for me, help me remember what David found you to be: a shield around me, and the lifter of my head. Be my protection and my peace, so that even in the midst of danger I can rest, as David lay down and slept, because you sustain me. You are my shield and the lifter of my head; help me trust you, and find peace to rest even when trouble presses on every side.