Psalm 3^[a]

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.^(A)

⁵ Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering^(A) Aramean,^(B) and he went down into Egypt with a few people^(C) and lived there and became a great nation,^(D) powerful and numerous. ⁶ But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer,^(E) subjecting us to harsh labor.^{(F) 7} Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our voice^(G) and saw^(H) our misery,^(I) toil and oppression.^{(J) 8} So the Lord brought us out of Egypt^(K) with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,^(L) with great terror and with signs and wonders.^{(M) 9} He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey;^{(N) 10} and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.^(O)” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(A) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^{(B) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(C) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(D) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(E) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(F) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(G) it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere^(H) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^{(I) 37} For,

³⁸ And,

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.