But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Wesley's Notes

3:3 A shield - My defence. My glory - Thou hast formerly given, and wilt farther give occasion of glorying in thy power and favour. Lifter up - Thou wilt restore me to my former power and dignity.

King James Translators' Notes

for: or, about

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. But-literally, "and" (Ps 2:6). He repels the reproach by avowing his continued trust.

shield-a favorite and often-used figure for protection.

my glory-its source.

lifter up of mine head-one who raises me from despondency.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:1-3 An active believer, the more he is beaten off from God, either by the rebukes of providence, or the reproaches of enemies, the faster hold he will take, and the closer will he cleave to him. A child of God startles at the very thought of despairing of help in God. See what God is to his people, what he will be, what they have found him, what David found in him. 1. Safety; a shield for me; which denotes the advantage of that protection. 2. Honour; those whom God owns for his, have true honour put upon them. 3. Joy and deliverance. If, in the worst of times, God's people can lift up their heads with joy, knowing that all shall work for good to them, they will own God as giving them both cause and hearts to rejoice.