The Lord Helps His Troubled People

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

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me,
There is no help for him in God.” Selah

But You, O Lord, are (B)a shield [a]for me,
My glory and (C)the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And (D)He heard me from His (E)holy hill. Selah

(F)I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
(G)I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
(H)For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
(I)Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

The Safety of the Faithful

To the [b]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
[c]Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that (J)the Lord has [d]set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

(K)Be[e] angry, and do not sin.
(L)Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Offer (M)the sacrifices of righteousness,
And (N)put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
(O)Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put (P)gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
(Q)I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
(R)For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:3 Lit. around
  2. Psalm 4:1 Choir Director
  3. Psalm 4:1 Be gracious to me
  4. Psalm 4:3 Many Heb. mss., LXX, Tg., Vg. made wonderful
  5. Psalm 4:4 Lit. Tremble or Be agitated

Psalm 3[a]

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

Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.(B)[b]

But you, Lord, are a shield(C) around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.(D)
I call out to the Lord,(E)
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.(F)

I lie down and sleep;(G)
    I wake again,(H) because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear(I) though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.(J)

Arise,(K) Lord!
    Deliver me,(L) my God!
Strike(M) all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth(N) of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.(O)
    May your blessing(P) be on your people.

Psalm 4[c]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

Answer me(Q) when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;(R)
    have mercy(S) on me and hear my prayer.(T)

How long will you people turn my glory(U) into shame?(V)
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[d]?[e](W)
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(X) for himself;
    the Lord hears(Y) when I call to him.

Tremble and[f] do not sin;(Z)
    when you are on your beds,(AA)
    search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.(AB)

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.(AC)
Fill my heart(AD) with joy(AE)
    when their grain and new wine(AF) abound.

In peace(AG) I will lie down and sleep,(AH)
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
  2. Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
  3. Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
  4. Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
  5. Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
  6. Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)