Psalm 3:3
New International Version
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

New Living Translation
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

English Standard Version
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Berean Standard Bible
But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

King James Bible
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

New King James Version
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

New American Standard Bible
But You, LORD, are a shield around me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

NASB 1995
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

NASB 1977
But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Legacy Standard Bible
But You, O Yahweh, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Amplified Bible
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.

Christian Standard Bible
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.

American Standard Version
But thou, O Jehovah, art a shield about me; My glory and the lifter up of my head.

Contemporary English Version
But you are my shield, and you give me victory and great honor.

English Revised Version
But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But you, O LORD, are a shield that surrounds me. You are my glory. You hold my head high.

Good News Translation
But you, O LORD, are always my shield from danger; you give me victory and restore my courage.

International Standard Version
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

Majority Standard Bible
But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

NET Bible
But you, LORD, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me.

New Heart English Bible
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

Webster's Bible Translation
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

World English Bible
But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And You, O YHWH, [are] a shield for me, "" My glory, and lifter up of my head.

Young's Literal Translation
And Thou, O Jehovah, art a shield for me, My honour, and lifter up of my head.

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for Ps 3:4And thou, Jehovah, a shield about me: my glory, and lifting up my head.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But you, Lord, are my supporter, my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

New American Bible
But you, LORD, are a shield around me; my glory, you keep my head high.

New Revised Standard Version
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But thou, O LORD, art my help and my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You, LORD JEHOVAH, are my helper and my honor, and the lifter of my head.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But thou, O Lord, art my helper: my glory, and the one that lifts up my head.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deliver Me, O LORD!
2Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah 3But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah…

Cross References
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.

Psalm 144:2
He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 60:19
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.

Zechariah 2:5
For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.


Treasury of Scripture

But you, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

a shield

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

for.

Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Isaiah 45:25
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

the

Psalm 27:6
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Psalm 119:7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

Genesis 40:13
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

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Psalm 3
1. The security of God's protection














But You, O LORD, are a shield around me
This phrase emphasizes God's protection, likening Him to a shield that surrounds the believer. In ancient warfare, a shield was a crucial piece of armor, providing defense against enemy attacks. The imagery here suggests comprehensive protection, not just from the front but all around, indicating God's omnipresence and omnipotence. This concept of God as a shield is echoed in other scriptures, such as Genesis 15:1, where God tells Abram, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenantal name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and personal relationship with His people.

my glory
In this context, "glory" refers to honor and dignity. David, the psalmist, acknowledges that his true honor comes from God, not from his status as king or his accomplishments. This reflects a deep humility and recognition that any glory he possesses is derived from his relationship with God. The term "glory" is often associated with God's presence and majesty, as seen in Exodus 33:18-22, where Moses asks to see God's glory. For believers, this phrase underscores the idea that their worth and identity are found in God alone.

and the One who lifts my head
The lifting of the head is a metaphor for restoration and encouragement. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a bowed head symbolized defeat, shame, or mourning, while a lifted head signified victory, confidence, and renewed hope. By stating that God is the one who lifts his head, David expresses trust in God's ability to restore him from his current troubles and to vindicate him. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages, such as Psalm 27:6, where David declares, "Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me." It also points to the hope of resurrection and ultimate redemption found in Christ, who lifts the heads of all who trust in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 3, David is fleeing from his son Absalom, who has rebelled against him. This context of personal crisis and betrayal is crucial for understanding the depth of David's reliance on God.

2. Absalom
David's son, who led a rebellion against his father, causing David to flee Jerusalem. This event is a backdrop to the psalm and highlights themes of conflict and divine protection.

3. Jerusalem
The city from which David fled. It represents both the physical and spiritual center of Israel, emphasizing the gravity of David's situation.
Teaching Points
God as Our Protector
The Hebrew word for "shield" (magen) signifies a comprehensive protection. Just as a shield covers a soldier, God surrounds us with His protection, offering security in times of trouble.

Restoration of Honor
"My glory" refers to the honor and dignity that God restores to us. In times of humiliation or defeat, God is the one who restores our sense of worth and purpose.

Divine Encouragement
"The One who lifts my head" suggests God’s role in encouraging and uplifting us. When we are downcast or overwhelmed, God provides the strength and encouragement to face our challenges.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite the chaos surrounding David, he acknowledges God's sovereignty. This trust is a model for us to rely on God's control over our circumstances.(3) For me.--Better, behind me. A protection from the emissaries of Absalom, now on his track.

My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.--

"Comp.--

"O et praesidium et dulce decus meum."

HORACE, Ode I., 1:2.

The significance of this sublime trust comes out as we read in 2Samuel 15:30 how the humiliated monarch went barefoot over Olivet, with head bent down and muffled in his mantle; no glory or dignity left; mute and humiliated under the insults and curses of Shimei.

Verse 3. - But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; or, about me(see the Revised Version). (For the sentiment, comp. Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 33:20; Psalm 84:9, etc.) The expression has peculiar force in David's mouth, who, as a "man of war," fully appreciated the saving power of a shield. My glory (comp. Psalm 62:7). And the lifter up of mine head. As God had raised up David to the throne (2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:3), and prospered him in his wars (2 Samuel 8:1-14), and exalted him above all the other kings of the period, so he was well able now, if he so willed, to restore him to his place and re-establish him in the monarchy (comp. 2 Samuel 15:25; Psalm 43:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But You,
וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

are a shield
מָגֵ֣ן (mā·ḡên)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile

around me,
בַּעֲדִ֑י (ba·‘ă·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

my glory,
כְּ֝בוֹדִ֗י (kə·ḇō·w·ḏî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

and the One who lifts
וּמֵרִ֥ים (ū·mê·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

my head.
רֹאשִֽׁי׃ (rō·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7218: The head


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OT Poetry: Psalm 3:3 But you Yahweh are a shield around (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 3:2
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