The Humbling of a King

¹Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me.

²Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying:

“Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!”

The Help of God

³But in the depths of my heart I truly know

that you, Yahweh , have become my Shield;

You take me and surround me with yourself.

Your glory covers me continually.

You lift high my head.

⁴I have cried out to you, Yahweh , from your holy presence.[#3:4 The Hebrew reads “I have cried out to you with my voice.” How else do we cry out to God—isn’t it always with our voice? But the word for “voice” has many different Hebrew meanings. It can also mean “the bleating of a lamb.” David was God’s lamb bleating out to his Shepherd for help.; #3:4 Or “from your holy hill.”]

You send me a Father’s help.

The Song of Safety

⁵So now I’ll lie down and sleep like a baby—

then I’ll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory.

⁶Even though ten thousand dark powers prowl around me,[#3:6 Or “military troops.”]

I won’t be afraid.

The Secret of Strength

⁷Rise up and help me, Yahweh ! Come and save me, God!

For you will slap them in the face,

breaking the power of their words to harm me.

⁸For the Lord alone is my Savior.[#3:8 The Hebrew word used sixty times in the Psalms for deliverance is Yeshuah , a variant form of the name for Jesus. This is pointing us to where our salvation is found.]

What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people!