Psalm 3 (NRSV)
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Verse 1O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
Verse 2many are saying to me, "There is no help for you in God." Selah
Verse 3But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Verse 4I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
Verse 5I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
Verse 6I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
Verse 7Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
Verse 8Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people! Selah
Devotion
The psalmist praises God for recovery from illness. At the time this psalm was written, disease was commonly regarded as punishment for sin. For the psalmist, healing is evidence that the “transgression” (verse 5) is forgiven. Sadly, there are some today who continue to link sin to illness and brokenness. I say “sadly” because this can separate us from God precisely at the time when we need the presence and comfort of one who is as sorrowful over our infirmities as we are. And that would be God – not the author of our suffering, but a co-participant.
Prayer
Creator God, we join the psalmist in praising you for the goodness of creation when healing comes, and we praise you for the comfort of your presence with us through the brokenness of creation when it does not. Amen.