Psalm 3 : How then can God lift up His head?

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:3-4)

Psalm 3 is the prayer of David as he hastily fled the palace because of the rebellion of his son Absalom. Who can mend the broken heart of David, the father who longs to look his son in the eye, but finds himself running away barefoot?

According to David's nature, the head of the enemy must be crushed with a club. But David is unable to pray as usual. What kind of father can look into his child's eyes when his spirit is broken and his body is destroyed? Even if a father disciplines his children tonight, he is not truly satisfied until he can sit down and share a meal with them the next morning.

Absalom's rebellion broke his father David's heart. Absalom stands for humanity. For Absalom's rebellion is man's rebellion against God. How then can God lift up His head? Children cannot hug their parents. Parents can hold their children.

O God, lift up David's head, Absalom's head, and my head in your bosom. Amen.