Psalm 3:3-5 But you, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.… This is a sweet song, and all the sweeter when we note the estate of the songster. Some circumstances set the sweetness of music in pronounced relief. It is the song that rises out of dreariness that exercises such a fascinating ministry. Look at the outside of the Psalmist's life. His external comfort was disturbed. His piety was questioned, and his fellowship with the Divine was denied. Man fails him. He retired more entirely upon God. In God he found that which transcended comfort, he found peace. In God he found that which transcended success, he found glory. In God he found that which transcended human regard, he found the approbation of the Divine. The figure of the shield is a beautiful one. It suggests the all-sufficient protection which comes from the companionship of God. The Lord will not permit my external circumstances to injure my spirit. The Lord will also be a shield against the foe within. When the circumstances are unfriendly, man is apt to become embittered. The hostility may nourish revenge. Failure may make a cynic. The winter time may breed envy, malice, and uncharitableness. I need some defence against these foes within. "Man needs re-enforcing against his worse self." I claim all the real protections as the ministry of the king. "My glory" In the approbation of God I find my honour. The crown that man can give me, man can take away. God's crowns are worn not as external dignities, but as spiritual dignities which adorn the soul...Men were unfriendly, circumstances were unsympathetic; this man "cried unto the Lord, and He heard him." There was a constant festival of fellowship, of fruitful responsiveness between man and his God. (J. H. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.WEB: But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. |
    |