He lifts up my head
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3
I remember some low times in my life and at one point, I figured out that if I lifted my head up and looked up to the sky, it just made me feel better. I can’t explain it. Maybe it helped me to see that there was a bigger picture than what I was going through or maybe it was just looking beyond the world I was in at that point in time. After that, I started noticing that when I was down, my head was down, and I was looking at the ground. With just a simple shift in my posture, suddenly, things didn’t feel so bad for me in those days. I know it was right around that time when I first came across this verse in Psalms 3. He is the One Who shields me and the One Who lifts up my head.
Now I understand that God gave me the strength and the grace to look up and look beyond all those years ago when I was struggling with life. He was the One Who made a way for me and He was the One Who carried me through.
This has since become one of my favorite Psalms. I also like to remember it while I am going to sleep to remind myself that He will sustain me while I am sleeping and make sure I get back up as long as I have work to do here in this world.
The chapter ends with the promise of God’s blessing on His people. Even though I see His blessings surrounding me every day, I use this passage to help me remember to thank Him for His protection and that He hears me when I talk to Him.
Lastly, don’t forget the “Selah.” Even though we are only three chapters into the book of Psalms, this is the first chapter that uses the word Selah. Usually, I notice it at the end of the chapter, but this one has the word in it three times, which seems unusual to me and the only reason I noticed it was because I am writing about it. Up until today, I thought the word was only at the end of a chapter. The word quite literally means: Stop and take a minute to think about what you just read and what the Holy Spirit is showing you in the scripture above.
In this chapter, it is at the end of verse two, four and eight. To me that seems repetitive and if it was at the end only, you would stop to consider the entire eight verses. However, since it is in three places, I consider that there is a continuing thought to meditate. So, verse 2 says that many people say to me that there is no help for him in God. Verse four and eight seem to be the answer to the writer’s consideration of what the world around is throwing at him. Even though people are telling him that God cannot help the situation or the person he is praying for, the writer reminds himself that he knows that when he cries to the Lord his God, God always shows up and has blessings for His people. Meaning that whatever he is praying about and talking to God about, God has a good answer in the situation.
Now that I consider these three different “selah” verses together, it speaks to me, almost like a secret message. I know this might not always be the case, but consider that “selah” is there for you and when you take the time to stop and ponder what was said, it could be the answer you are looking for at that very moment.
So today I want to encourage you to look for the part of this chapter that stands out to you. Spend some time reading it over and see what blessing the Holy Spirit is giving you in the passage. Consider the verses with “selah” at the end and ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in them for you, today. Also, remember that when you are feeling down or disappointed, look up and see if that doesn’t help you to see beyond the circumstances you are up against right now in life. Then, thank Him for His blessings that He is continually pouring out on you and that you will recognize each one of them today.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 3
1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me “There is no help for him in God.”
Selah
3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people.
Selah
The Daily Dose 