Psalm 3:3 KJV
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
So many important and inspiring things are associated with David the Psalmist in the Scriptures. For instance, he was the greatest earthly king of Israel, one who God clearly testified of as being a man after His (God) own heart (1 Sam 13:14). David was the only king of Israel on whom the oil of anointing was poured at least three times (1 Sam 16:13; 2 Sam 2:4; 1 Chr 11:3). Jesse’s son was also the one person through whose life and words, the Messiah (and His words) was foreshadowed the most. In Psalm 22:1, for example, David cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV).
Those exact words would be said by the Lord Jesus at the Cross because of our sins (Mat 27:46). Despite all those striking truths about the Psalmist King, blessedly, David was also one who freely and openly voiced his dependence on God. In other words, with all the godly fame and glory that heaven accorded him, God’s servant was not afraid or ashamed to publicly speak out his trust in Him. At one point, when his son Absalom conspired with other traitors to take his life, David cried out to God, saying, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”, as in our text. Hallelujah!
Yes, although David was a mighty warrior himself, and had the greatest and finest army at the time, he did not rely on the earthly arm of flesh. Rather, he called upon the LORD and was saved from his enemies. Gloriously, what was foreshadowed in David, found its perfect place and fulfilment in Jesus. Christ freely, severally, and openly voiced His trust in God the Father—even though He (Christ) was (and is) God Himself. The LORD be praised that the things David said of Him have never changed: God is still a strong shield for us; He is our glory in Christ Jesus; and the LORD is the only dependable “lifter up” of our heads!
Pst. Emmanuel
