But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
The prayer rises from Absalom's rebellion, when David was betrayed and wronged and deserted, and in that darkest trial he made God his reliance. He was ringed by many enemies, and voices around him insisted that God would not help him, yet he kept his trust fixed on God. That trust steadied his heart and freed him from fear even when the opposition was overwhelming.
To name God as shield is to confess Him as personal protection, and to name Him as glory is to confess Him as the source of honor. To name Him as the lifter of the head is to confess Him as the One who steadies the heart, lifts the downcast from discouragement, and renews courage in the midst of danger and opposition. That shielding presence gives strength to press forward in the work God has assigned, with confidence that even overwhelming troubles will not prevail when His name and purpose are at stake.
The prayer rises from Absalom's rebellion, when David was betrayed and wronged and deserted, and in that darkest trial he made God his reliance. He was ringed by many enemies, and voices around him insisted that God would not help him, yet he kept his trust fixed on God. That trust steadied his heart and freed him from fear even when the opposition was overwhelming.
To name God as shield is to confess Him as personal protection, and to name Him as glory is to confess Him as the source of honor. To name Him as the lifter of the head is to confess Him as the One who steadies the heart, lifts the downcast from discouragement, and renews courage in the midst of danger and opposition. That shielding presence gives strength to press forward in the work God has assigned, with confidence that even overwhelming troubles will not prevail when His name and purpose are at stake.