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A Morning Prayer

David sang this when he ran away from his son Absalom.

Lord, I have many enemies!
    Many people have turned against me.
Many people are talking about me.
    They say, “God won’t rescue him.” Selah

But, Lord, you are my shield.
    You are my wonderful God who gives me courage.
I will pray to the Lord.
    And he will answer me from his holy mountain. Selah

I can lie down and go to sleep.
    And I will wake up again
    because the Lord protects me.
Thousands of enemies may surround me.
    But I am not afraid.

Lord, rise up!
    My God, come save me!
You have hit my enemies on the cheek.
    You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
The Lord can save his people.
    Lord, bless your people. Selah

Save Me, O My God

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

O Lord, (B)how many are my foes!
    Many are (C)rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
    (D)“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah[a]

But you, O Lord, are (E)a shield (F)about me,
    my glory, and (G)the lifter of my head.
I (H)cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he (I)answered me from his (J)holy hill. Selah

I (K)lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I (L)will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have (M)set themselves against me all around.

(N)Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you (O)strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you (P)break the teeth of the wicked.

(Q)Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:2 The meaning of the Hebrew word Selah, used frequently in the Psalms, is uncertain. It may be a musical or liturgical direction

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.