Psalm 3

Confidence in Troubled Times

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

Lord, how my foes increase!
There are many who attack me.(B)
Many say about me,
“There is no help for him in God.”(C)Selah

But you, Lord, are a shield around me,(D)
my glory,(E) and the one who lifts up my head.(F)
I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.(G)Selah

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the Lord sustains me.(H)
I will not be afraid of thousands of people
who have taken their stand against me on every side.(I)

Rise up, Lord!(J)
Save me, my God!
You strike all my enemies on the cheek;(K)
you break the teeth of the wicked.(L)
Salvation belongs to the Lord;(M)
may your blessing be on your people.(N)Selah

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

O Lord, I have so many enemies;
    so many are against me.
So many are saying,
    “God will never rescue him!” Interlude[a]

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude

I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
    Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
    Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. Interlude

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 Hebrew Selah. The meaning of this word is uncertain, though it is probably a musical or literary term. It is rendered Interlude throughout the Psalms.