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A Morning Prayer

David sang this when he ran away from his son Absalom.

Lord, I have many enemies!
    Many people have turned against me.
Many are saying about me,
    “God won’t rescue him.” Selah

But, Lord, you are my shield,
    my wonderful God who gives me courage.
I will pray to the Lord,
    and he will answer me from his holy mountain. Selah

I can lie down and go to sleep,
    and I will wake up again,
    because the Lord gives me strength.
Thousands of troops may surround me,
    but I am not afraid.

Lord, rise up!
    My God, come save me!
You have struck my enemies on the cheek;
    you have broken the teeth of the wicked.
The Lord can save his people.
    Lord, bless your people. Selah

A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased!
    Many are those who rise up against me.
Many there are who say of my soul,
    “There is no help for him in God.”[a] Selah.
But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me,
    my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry to Yahweh with my voice,
    and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid myself down and slept.
    I awakened, for Yahweh sustains me.
I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me on every side.
Arise, Yahweh!
    Save me, my God!
For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone.
    You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to Yahweh.
    May your blessing be on your people. Selah.

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).