Psalm 3

Psalm 3 (NRSV)
1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying to me,
“There is no help for youa in God.” Selah

Lord,
The foes that threaten and frighten and sometimes destroy:
In different places and times, we are threatened by different foes;
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have their foes
Arabic Christians in Palistine and Israel have their foes
Christians in Iraq and Somalia have relentless and powerful foes
Unemployed parents in America have theirs
All who struggle with cancer and every life-threatening disease
Those who experience the justice system as really unjust
Young adults trying to find their way and meeting obstacles and diversions of every sort
The children of immigrants who speak in unfamiliar accents on school playgrounds
Employers who are trying to survive when the economic environment is difficult if not hostile
Employees whose job security in intensly insecure
Children of broken families….

Lord, the foes are beyond number.
Sometimes they are the demons of my own mind;
Memories that will not go away
Guilt that will not receive its pardon
Shame that will not yeild to the grace of the gospel of Christ
Anxiety of unknown sources
Fear grounded in ancient experience
Hurtful remarks of long ago that play in our heads like today’s conversation
Lord, the foes are beyond number….

Be a shield, O God,
Be a shield around me and grant me the security of your presence.

Ask God’s blessings on those who need grace in special ways
Offer your personal needs to God
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you.”

In Christ’s name.


3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Rise up, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord;
may your blessing be on your people! Selah
[1]

a Syr: Heb him

[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989