Lyrics
Verse 1
Many are they increased that troubled me
Many are they that rise up against me
Many there be which say of my soul
There is no help for him in God
Chorus (x2)
But thou, oh Lord are a shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
Thou, oh Lord are shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
Verse 2
I cried unto the Lord with my voice
And he heard me out of His holy hill
I laid me down and slept and awaked
For the Lord sustained, for he sustained me
Chorus (x3)
Thou, oh Lord are a shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
Thou, oh Lord are shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
Credits & Song Information
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s live recording of “Thou, Oh Lord” sets words from Psalm 3 to a congregational refrain. The verses name the pressure: many have risen up against the singer, many are troubling, and many say there is no help in God. The chorus answers directly: “But thou, oh Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head.”
The second verse turns to rest. The singer cried aloud to the Lord, was heard from his holy hill, then lay down, slept, and woke again because the Lord sustained him. The contrast between opposition and sleep shows trust that does not depend on the circumstances changing.
The lyric follows Psalm 3:1-5 closely, and the shield image is close to Psalm 28:7 and Psalm 18:2. The choir repeats the chorus, which lets the congregation take the psalm’s confidence as its own. The tone moves from distress to calm assurance.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 3:1-5 The source of the verses and chorus
- Psalm 28:7 The Lord as strength and shield
- Psalm 4:8 Lying down in peace and sleeping