Psalm 3-5

New International Version

Psalm 3^[a]

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

¹Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
²Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.^(B)”^[b]

³But you, Lord, are a shield^(C) around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.^(D)
⁴I call out to the Lord,^(E)
and he answers me from his holy mountain.^(F)

⁵I lie down and sleep;^(G)
I wake again,^(H) because the Lord sustains me.
⁶I will not fear^(I) though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.^(J)

⁷Arise,^(K) Lord!
Deliver me,^(L) my God!
Strike^(M) all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth^(N) of the wicked.

⁸From 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.

¹Answer 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)

²How long will you people turn my glory^(U) into shame?^(V)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[d]?^[e]^(W)
³Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant^(X) for himself;
the Lord hears^(Y) when I call to him.

⁴Tremble and^[f] do not sin;^(Z)
    when you are on your beds,^(AA)
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.^(AB)

⁶Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.^(AC)
⁷Fill my heart^(AD) with joy^(AE)
when their grain and new wine^(AF) abound.

⁸In peace^(AG) I will lie down and sleep,^(AH)
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.^(AI)

Psalm 5^[g]

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

¹Listen^(AJ) to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.^(AK)
²Hear my cry for help,^(AL)
    my King and my God,^(AM)
    for to you I pray.

³In the morning,^(AN) Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.^(AO)
⁴For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people^(AP) are not welcome.
⁵The arrogant^(AQ) cannot stand^(AR)
    in your presence.
You hate^(AS) all who do wrong;
⁶    you destroy those who tell lies.^(AT)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
⁷But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence^(AU) I bow down^(AV)
    toward your holy temple.^(AW)

⁸Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness^(AX)
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight^(AY) before me.
⁹Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;^(AZ)
    with their tongues they tell lies.^(BA)
¹⁰Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,^(BB)
    for they have rebelled^(BC) against you.
¹¹But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.^(BD)
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name^(BE) may rejoice in you.^(BF)

¹²Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;^(BG)
you surround them^(BH) with your favor as with a shield.^(BI)

Footnotes

Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.
Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)
Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.