A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. 2
3:1 Lord, how 3 numerous are my enemies!
Many attack me. 4
3:2 Many say about me,
“God will not deliver him.” 5 (Selah) 6
3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; 7
you are my glory 8 and the one who restores me. 9
3:4 To the Lord I cried out, 10
and he answered me from his holy hill. 11 (Selah)
3:5 I rested and slept;
I awoke, 12 for the Lord protects 13 me.
3:6 I am not afraid 14 of the multitude of people 15
who attack me from all directions. 16
3:7 Rise up, 17 Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
Yes, 18 you will strike 19 all my enemies on the jaw;
you will break the teeth 20 of the wicked. 21
3:8 The Lord delivers; 22
you show favor to your people. 23 (Selah)
For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David.
4:1 When I call out, answer me,
O God who vindicates me! 25
Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. 26
Have mercy on me 27 and respond to 28 my prayer!
4:2 You men, 29 how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? 30
How long 31 will you love what is worthless 32
and search for what is deceptive? 33 (Selah)
4:3 Realize that 34 the Lord shows the godly special favor; 35
the Lord responds 36 when I cry out to him.
4:4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! 37
Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! 38 (Selah)
4:5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices 39
and trust in the Lord! 40
4:6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?”
Smile upon us, Lord! 41
4:7 You make me happier 42
than those who have abundant grain and wine. 43
4:8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, 44
for you, Lord, make me safe and secure. 45
For the music director, to be accompanied by wind instruments; 47 a psalm of David.
5:1 Listen to what I say, 48 Lord!
Carefully consider my complaint! 49
5:2 Pay attention to my cry for help,
my king and my God,
for I am praying to you!
5:3 Lord, in the morning 50 you will hear 51 me; 52
in the morning I will present my case to you 53 and then wait expectantly for an answer. 54
5:4 Certainly 55 you are not a God who approves of evil; 56
evil people 57 cannot dwell with you. 58
5:5 Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; 59
you hate 60 all who behave wickedly. 61
5:6 You destroy 62 liars; 63
the Lord despises 64 violent and deceitful people. 65
5:7 But as for me, 66 because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house; 67
I will bow down toward your holy temple as I worship you. 68
5:8 Lord, lead me in your righteousness 69
because of those who wait to ambush me, 70
remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me! 71
5:9 For 72 they do not speak the truth; 73
their stomachs are like the place of destruction, 74
their throats like an open grave, 75
their tongues like a steep slope leading into it. 76
5:10 Condemn them, 77 O God!
May their own schemes be their downfall! 78
Drive them away 79 because of their many acts of insurrection, 80
for they have rebelled against you.
5:11 But may all who take shelter 81 in you be happy! 82
May they continually 83 shout for joy! 84
Shelter them 85 so that those who are loyal to you 86 may rejoice! 87
5:12 Certainly 88 you reward 89 the godly, 90 Lord.
Like a shield you protect 91 them 92 in your good favor. 93