In Psalm 3:3, David says of God,
ABut thou, O
Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up
of mine head.@ David
said this as he was fleeing for his life from Jerusalem
during the rebellion of his son Absalom (See II Samuel
15:14). Many had risen up with Absalom against
David to trouble him and taunt him, saying that
Athere is no
help for him in God@
(Psalm 3:1-2). David
Awept as he
went, and his head was covered and he walked barefoot@
(IISamuel 15:30 NAS) in sorrow, shame, and humiliation.
Yet David did not fall apart in fear and disgrace;
nor did he rise to his own defense in anger.
Rather he trusted God as his shield, his glory, and his
head-lifter. The term
Ashield@
(Strong's #4043B
magen) derives from a word that means
Ato defend,
cover, surround,@
and magen also refers to the scaly hide of the
crocodile (Strong). Thus the shield implies strong
protection all around. God would smite the
cheekbone (or jaw) and break the teeth of David=
s enemies (Psalm 3:7), thwarting their power to hurt
him. And David reminds us that Jesus is our shield
of faith Awith
which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming
missiles of the evil one@
(Ephesians 6:16 NAS).
AGlory@
(#3519B
kawbode) refers not only to things such as splendor
and abundance, but also to honor, dignity, and
reputation. Kawbode derives from a word
that means weighty or heavy, yet David was being treated
as something to be discounted and brushed aside through
public rejection and humiliation. In David we see
a picture of Jesus, who
Awas despised
and forsaken of men@
(Isaiah 53:3). But of Jesus, it is written,
AWhile being
reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering,
He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to
Him who judges righteously@
(I Peter 2:23 NAS). Yet God
Araised Him
from the dead and gave Him glory@
(I Peter 1:21 NAS), and
Abestowed on
Him the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9
NAS. So David said,
AIf I find
favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me
back again, and show me both [the ark of the covenant]
and His habitation@
(II Samuel 15:25 NAS). And we are reminded that
Awhen Christ,
who is our life, is revealed, then [we] also will be
revealed with Him in glory@
(Colossians 3:4 NAS).
The lifting up of David=
s head signifies protection and deliverance from the
power of his enemies. David wrote in Psalm 27:5-6
(NAS), AFor in
the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will
lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be
lifted up above my enemies around me.@
Lifting-up also pertains to the removal of
the humiliation that come with affliction and weakness,
and the taking away of the despondency of reproach (See
I Samuel 2:1-10 regarding Hannah=
s exultation). It also refers to the restoring of
honor and position (II Kings 25:27-30). Being
lifted up releases joy. Thus David declares in
Psalm 27:6, ATherefore
will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will
sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.@
And he reminds us that by grace, God
Araised us up
with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places,
in Christ Jesus@
(Ephesians 2:6 NAS).
God lifted David=s
head because he did not lift his own head, in pride,
anger, self-reliance, or selfish ambition. In
this, David reminds us that
Athus saith
the high (lifted-up) and lofty One that
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the
high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite
and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones@
(Isaiah 57:15). May we all remember to trust in
God with all our heart when we come under attack.
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