Psalm 3–4

A Call to Yahweh in Distress

3A psalm of David at his fleeing from the presence of Absalom, his son.^a

¹Yahweh, how many are my enemies;

many are rising against me.

²Many are saying about my soul,

“There is no deliverance for him from^b God. Selah^c

³But^c you, Yahweh, are a shield around me,

my glory and the one who lifts up my head.

⁴With my voice I call to Yahweh

and he answers me from his holy hill.^d Selah

⁵I lay down and slept;

I woke up because Yahweh sustains me.

⁶I am not afraid of the ten thousands of people

who all around have set themselves against me.

⁷Rise up, O Yahweh; deliver me, O my God;

for you strike all my enemies on the cheek.

The teeth of the wicked you break.

⁸To Yahweh belongs deliverance;

may your blessing be over your people. Selah

Safety in Yahweh

4For the music director; with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.^a

¹When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness.^b

In trouble deliver me.^c

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

²O sons of man, how long will my honor^d be a disgrace?

How long will you love vanity?

How long will you seek lies?^e Selah

³But know that Yahweh has set apart^f for himself the faithful one.^g

Yahweh hears when I call to him.

⁴Be disturbed but do not sin.

Commune in your heart^h on your bed and be silent. Selah

⁵Offer correct sacrifices,ⁱ

and trust in^j Yahweh.

⁶Many are saying, “Who will show us something good?”

Lift up over^k us the light of your face, O Yahweh.

⁷You have put gladness in my heart

more than when^l their grain and their wine abound.

⁸In peace I will lie down and sleep at once,^m

for you alone, O Yahweh, make me dwell safely.