Reflection 9-4-25
Psalm 3
The Humbling of a King
1 Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me.
2 Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying:
“Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!”
Pause in his presence
The Help of God
3 But in the depths of my heart I truly know
that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield;
You take me and surround me with yourself.
Your glory covers me continually.
You lift high my head.
4 I have cried out to you, Yahweh, from your holy presence.
You send me a Father’s help.
Pause in his presence
The Song of Safety
5 So now I’ll lie down and sleep like a baby—
then I’ll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory.
6 Even though ten thousand dark powers prowl around me,
I won’t be afraid.
The Secret of Strength
7 Rise up and help me, Yahweh! Come and save me, God!
For you will slap them in the face,
breaking the power of their words to harm me.
8 For the Lord alone is my Savior.
What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people!
Pause in his presence
Reflection
The first notation of Selah – a musical interlude, a pause is found in Psalm 3. The Passion Translation above gives the instruction to “Pause in his presence” at three different times. We invite you to read the Psalm slowly. When you come to the phrase “Pause in his presence” do just that. Practice the pause. Read through a second time – again pausing where directed. Perhaps you linger a little longer in the pause on this reading. Read through a third time in the same way.
Did your pauses change with each reading? Did you have a calm mind or a flurry of thoughts during the pause? (We hold both without judgment.) What do you notice as you pause?