Psalm 3

A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom.

Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me.

Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked.

My eyes grow dim from suffering; they grow weak because of all my enemies.

They will be humiliated and absolutely terrified. All my enemies will turn back and be suddenly humiliated.

Stand up angrily, Lord. Rise up with raging fury against my enemies. Wake up for my sake, and execute the judgment you have decreed for them.

When my enemies turn back, they trip and are defeated before you.

The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins. You destroyed their cities; all memory of the enemies has perished.

He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains all his enemies.

Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds, you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies.

Protect me from the wicked men who attack me, my enemies who crowd around me for the kill.

Psalm 18

For the music director, by the Lord’s servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

He said: “I love you, Lord, my source of strength!

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.

I chase my enemies and catch them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.

You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me.

He delivers me from my enemies. You snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men.

You prevail over all your enemies; your power is too great for those who hate you.

I can count all my bones; my enemies are gloating over me in triumph.

You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.

My God, I trust in you. Please do not let me be humiliated; do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me.

Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me; they hate me and want to harm me.

When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall.

Now I will triumph over my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy. I will sing praises to the Lord.

Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.

Psalm 30

A psalm, a song used at the dedication of the temple; by David.

I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me.

Because of all my enemies, people disdain me; my neighbors are appalled by my suffering— those who know me are horrified by my condition; those who see me in the street run away from me.