Thou, O Lord, are my shield
A few years ago one of the songs that was often sung as a worship chorus in many churches went like this, “Thou, oh Lord, are a shield around me. You’re my glory; you’re the lifter of my head.”
The tempo used was solemn, promoting both introspection and a sense of intimacy with God. What seemed remarkable to this writer was just how effectively it brought a whole congregation singing it into a peaceful place in the heart and mind. Everyone gathered together could know God was there, in a powerful way, if their hearts were open to Him.
What I did not know was the history behind the song, or I would never have wondered. That central chorus was taken straight out of Psalm 3.
The third psalm spoke to God during a very troubled time in the later part of David’s life. He had reigned in Israel for many years. His children were all grown and several had ambitions of their own.
One of them was Absalom, ironically, David’s favorite. Absalom did not want to wait for the throne to pass to him in the course of time. Instead, he began to play political games, raising support among the younger men of the kingdom. Eventually, he gathered such a following that he rose in active rebellion against his father. The result? David was driven from the throne and from Jerusalem, once more becoming a hunted fugitive.
At this point in David’s life it would have been easy for him just to let things pass. Flee the country. Live in exile, out of his son’s reach. He’d had a good run, hadn’t he? Maybe he should just retire and let Absalom run things.
The problem with simply letting events run their course was that Absalom’s actions showed two things.
First, it made plain just how low and un-Godly his real character actually was. In his impatience to inherit he schemed and connived behind his father’s back, getting people of like mind to throw in with him. He was ready to kill his father to take the throne. Absalom was not really fit to rule.
Second, David had not been told by God to relinquish the throne. By this time one of the prophets would have let David know that he was relieved of his responsibilities by God.
David was at a crossroads. He could just give up. Or he could, literally, soldier on.
Psalm three showed his choice. “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalms 3:1-6)
Psalm Three is David’s statement of faith, his statement of intent and his statement of assurance that God is in control. It is David’s acknowledgment that
God was with Him, in all circumstances, even the worst. It can also be ours, if we keep ourselves open to God’s leading in our lives.
(Philip Severi, a former Bishop resident, previously wrote a weekly column for The Inyo Register. He contributes to this page from his home in Twain Harte.)