Psalms 1 and 2 form the introductory pair to the Psalter, offering a vision of what the blessed life looks like. Psalm 1:1 tells us, "Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord," while Psalm 2:12 ends with, "Blessed are all who take refuge in God’s anointed, the Messiah." Together, these two psalms establish the framework for understanding the entire book of Psalms—highlighting both the importance of God’s law and the hope found in His promised King.

From this grand theological overview, the Psalter then transitions into the personal and immediate experience of a man who was blessed precisely because he took refuge in the Lord. That man is none other than King David.

In Psalm 3, David speaks from a place of deep personal crisis. He was fleeing from his son Absalom, who had conspired against him. As the conspiracy gained strength, the number of those siding with Absalom continued to grow (2 Samuel 15:12). This is why David cried out, “O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me” (v.1). David didn’t know the exact number of his enemies, but he knew he was surrounded by a multitude.

The situation became so dire that people began to say, “There is no salvation for him in God” (v.2). These words likely reflected not a belief that God was unable to help, but rather that God was unwilling—perhaps because of David’s past sins. They assumed David was simply getting what he deserved.

`Yet in David’s darkest moment, God enabled David to turn to Him in faith. David made a powerful proclamation: “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (v.3). This wasn’t merely a plea or a desperate prayer—it was a statement of truth and trust. God was not only David’s protection, but also his source of honour and the one who could lift his downcast spirit.

David testified that even amid the dangers of fleeing in the wilderness, he could lie down and sleep peacefully. He awoke each morning because the Lord sustained him. Though he was surrounded by enemies and seemingly in a hopeless situation, David called the Lord his King and his shield. Through his example, we see the truth of Psalm 2:12—that blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

We, too, face situations that tempt us toward despair—circumstances that seem impossible, relationships that feel irreparably broken, or seasons of ministry where everything appears to be falling apart. Perhaps you're trying to share the gospel with someone you love, and it seems as if their heart will never be open to Christ.

But remember what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” In every trial, we are invited to turn to the living God—our shield, our glory, and the lifter of our heads. In humility and faith, we seek His face. We pray not just for resolution, but for deeper trust in His sustaining power and steadfast love. Indeed, the final verse of Psalm 3 reminds us: “Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!” He is the source of all true blessing, and He delights to pour it out on those who seek refuge in Him.

Let us pray with the final stanza from the hymn “Come, Thou Font of many blessings” that we will come back to the source of our faith and hope daily, and pray that God’s merciful and loving hand hold us close to Him, especially in those days when we are prone to lose heart and prone to wander.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter,

Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee:

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it;

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for being our shield, our glory, and the lifter of our heads. In times of fear, confusion, and despair, teach us to run to You—to trust not in our strength, but in Your mercy and might. Strengthen our faith when we are overwhelmed. Remind us that Your love never fails and that salvation belongs to You alone. May Your blessing rest upon us, and may we find joy in taking refuge under the shelter of Your wings. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.