Lord, how are they increased that trouble 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. Selah.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psalm 3

A song of David composed while fleeing from his son Absalom.

This Davidic psalm recalls the time when David fled from Jerusalem after Absalom, his son, rebelled and claimed the throne (2 Samuel 15–17).

Eternal One, my adversaries are many, too many to count.
    Now they have taken a stand against me!
Right to my face they say,
    “God will not save you!”

[pause][a]

But You, Eternal One, wrap around me like an impenetrable shield.
    You give me glory and lift my eyes up to the heavens.
I lift my voice to You, Eternal One,
    and You answer me from Your sacred heights.

[pause]

I lie down at night and fall asleep.
    I awake in the morning—healthy, strong, vibrant—because the Eternal supports me.
No longer will I fear my tens of thousands of enemies
    who have surrounded me!

Rise up, O Eternal One!
    Rescue me, O God!
For You have dealt my enemies a strong blow to the jaw!
    You have shattered their teeth! Do so again.

Liberation truly comes from the Eternal.
    Let Your blessings shower down upon Your people.

[pause]

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son.

O Lord, how my enemies have increased!
Many are rising up against me.

Many are saying of me,
“There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.” [a]Selah.


But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.

With my voice I was crying to the Lord,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

I lay down and slept [safely];
I awakened, for the Lord sustains me.

I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands
Who have set themselves against me all around.


Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the Lord;
May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:2 Selah may mean: Pause, Crescendo or Musical interlude or may have some other unknown meaning; and so throughout.