God Is the Lifter of My Head—What Does It Mean?

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Years ago, I listened to a song from Jars of Clay. The chorus proclaims that “God will lift up your head.” I knew I’d seen that phrase in the Bible, but it seemed odd.

When I come home with a trunkload full of groceries, do I like some help hauling everything inside? Yes.

When I take a long trip and the luggage is heavy and hard to maneuver, do I appreciate some assistance at the airport? Absolutely.

There are plenty of things that I could use some help lifting—my very tall three-year-old and bins of items to donate, for example.

But my head? As far as I know, I’ve been perfectly capable of lifting my own head without a second thought from somewhere around 6 months old. 

“Lifter of My Head” In Context

I’m working through a study of the Psalms—The Extraordinary Power of Praise—and the author is urging me to memorize Psalm 3:3 this week:

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

This verse paints a picture in my mind. God surrounding me. God pouring out his glory onto me, and lastly, God lifting my head. There’s that funny phrase. 

A Story of Being Lifted

On the way home from dropping my kids off from school this week, I was praying. I was telling God how life swells with purpose and joy when my eyes are fixed on him.

As I talked, I remembered a recent time when a particular sin and the accompanying sense of shame disrupted my peace.

Usually, when this happens I distance myself somewhat from God. I try to prove to myself that I’m good enough to return to his presence.

When the memory and reminders of shame begin to fade, I find myself side-stepping closer to his throne of mercy.

But because of grace and everything I’ve learned about authentic worship, I did something different this time. I still felt mixed up and sorrowful, but I went to God anyway. I talked to him about everything I was feeling.

And do you know what he did?

He lifted my head. He gently put a finger under my chin and tilted my gaze heavenward. The eyes that were focused on my own problems settled on him instead. He turned my navel-gazing into praise. 

Many Problems, One Solution

When David penned Psalm 3, his problem was different than mine.

I can only imagine what he felt and thought as his own son, Absalom, rose up against him to claim the throne. David was fleeing. He was betrayed and hunted. Despite the understandable feelings of heartbreak, fear, and despair, David proclaimed his confidence in the Lord.

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

There are more than a few ways that a heart ruled by peace can end up ruled by chaos.

When the enemies of peace come against us, our natural inclination is to look down in shame or look around for danger or look inward for solutions.

But God is the lifter of your head.

We may try to withdraw from God’s presence, but he does not withdraw from us.

He is a shield that surrounds us in glory and beckons our eyes upward to him.

When the enemies of peace come against us, our natural inclination is to look down in shame or look around for danger or look inward for solutions. But God is the lifter of your head. #lifterofmyhead #butGod #psalm3 Share on X

*Featured photo by Kirill Balobanov on Unsplash