This past Sunday morning we sang a song that was drawn from the third Psalm. Perhaps you have sung the same song before, the main verse is:
Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
It is a song that I have sung many times before, however this time it hit me between the eyes like a 2-by-4.
David is writing about fleeing from his son Absalom and the ever increasing number of adversaries (3.1). There are many who were mocking David in this midst of such troubles (3.2). However, David, standing resilient as ever, drenched in the gracious dew of heaven in this valley of despair, sings this praise to his God and ours.
David of course is finding comfort, peace, confidence and praise because God is his shield, his glory, and the one who lifts his head.
And this is where the 2-by-4 came in…as we sang I wondered why. Why could David sing with such optimism? How could God have given victory to him? On what basis may God extend grace? How is God’s mercy, love and forgiveness compatible with David’s lust, murder, and adultery?
It is because of the Son of David. Any optimism that has ever and will ever be legitimately felt, anticipated, or reflected upon is anchored to a blood-stained tree in Israel. The reason why God could and would lift David’s head is because the Son of David, the Lord Jesus had bowed his head. Yes we are too familiar with that scene aren’t we? You know the scene well, for it is here when Jesus said, “it is finished’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (Jn. 19.30).
Gaze upon this scene in your mind’s eye Christian when you are feeling the weight of sin, the bitter herbs of despair, and the pain of persecution.
Remember that it was Jesus who bowed his head that you may have your head lifted. You have no right to bow your head now. There is no reason to despair! For the greatest ills and enemies lay slain in the shadow of the crucified Savior.
“O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15.55).
The Absolams of this world are but gnats compared to the deadly vipers of sin, death and Satan, but mark it believer, these foes are dead, for they have been crushed by the powerful saving sovereign, our Jesus.
God does lift our head, but only because God has bowed his head. Now I want to sing.
