Psalm 3:3 “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head (ESV).”
First, God is our shield. A shield is a protecting device that keeps objects from hitting us. Biblical scholars have also attested that a shield keeps a military from advancing during war. When we are in war or experiencing the problem of pain, our only alternative is to find a shield. A shield today can be seen in our homes, bank accounts, to even those addicted to behavior which the Bible speaks against. Some shield their pain in drug addiction, sexual promiscuity, and aloneness. However, the David knows he needs a shield when his son Absalom is seeking to kill him. God becomes David’s shield in difficult days. Today, consider David’s words for your life. God is your shield in pain, suffering, struggles, and temptations. So let us pray that God would deliver us. Deliver us from what? God wants to deliver us from fleeting pleasures that captivate our hearts. These are the things that takes us from God’s shield, God’s protection.
Second, God is our glory. This word is often described of God’s character. He is full of splendor, honor, majesty, and might. Paul speaks of God as incomparable (Ephesians 1). None can compare to his majesty and splendor. He is infinitely holy and unmatched by no one. He is supremely in charge of all things. He is heavy כָּבֹוד. It is the Hebrew word that can also be translated honor. It is used over 376 times in the Old Testament. That’s a lot! God is due his honor. He is due his worth. Worship should be the very thing that lifts us up from times of trouble. This what David announces. God! “You’re my glory!” There is no other who I desire to worship. It is similar to the Aramaic word, yāqār. The basic meaning is “to be heavy or weighty”. The term has also been used for description of people. For example, the literal use of the term occurs only in I Sam 4:18, “Eli was heavy” (kābēd, adjective), and II Sam 14:26 “Absalom’s hair was heavy” (kābēd, noun). The term for glory is often seen visibly in the tabernacle. God’s glory is made visible through localize form on earth (Ex 16:10; 40:34; etc.) and also seen within the temple where Ezekiel’s vision of the exile and restoration is portrayed (9:3, etc.). There are other places where his glory is mentioned.
Third, He is our lifter. God lifts up our heads when we are discouraged. Surely, David is feeling the weight of his family upon him. He has brother fighting against brother. His sin is ever before him. He is feeling the weight of being ridiculed. Surely God will redeem his life from the pit (Psalm 103). Yet, David is promised with this foundational hope. God lifts up! The Hebrew word is rather unique. The word (רוּם rûm) has the idea of triumphing over tragedy, insults, and pain. David will be raised up. David will be exalted because God brings salvation. The word can also be derived as being raised from one elevation to another (Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains).
So as the calendar changes, remember three things. God is our shield, our glory, and the lifter of our head. We need him to protect us from pain, suffering, and trials. We need him to be heavy, weighty, and the one receiving honor. We need him to be a God who moves us from tragedy to hope, by lifting our depression to joy. Will you believe this today? Will you embrace this great passage that David writes about God? I trust you will and that it will change your life.
Rooted In Grace
©Joel Badal
December 31, 2010
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