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A Morning Prayer

David sang this when he ran away from his son Absalom [2 Sam. 15–19].

Lord, ·I have many enemies [L how many are my foes?]!
    ·Many people [L How many…?] have ·turned [L risen] against me.
Many are saying about me,
    “·God won’t rescue him [L There is no salvation for him in God].” ·Selah [Interlude]

But, Lord, you are my shield [C protector],
    my ·wonderful God [L glory] who ·gives me courage [L lifts up my head].
I will ·pray [L lift my voice] to the Lord,
    and he will answer me from his holy mountain [C Zion, the location of the Temple]. ·Selah [Interlude]

I can lie down and go to sleep,
    and I will wake up again,
    because the Lord ·gives me strength [sustains/upholds me].
Thousands of troops may ·surround me [L set themselves around me],
    but I am not afraid.

Lord, rise up!
    My God, come ·save [rescue; T deliver] me!
You have struck my enemies on the cheek;
    you have broken the teeth of the wicked.
·The Lord can save his people [L Salvation/Rescue/Deliverance belongs to the Lord].
    ·Bless your people [L May your blessing be on your people]. ·Selah [Interlude]

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.

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.