Psalm 3–5

A Morning Prayer

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

3Lord, I have many enemies!

Many people have turned against me.

²Many are saying about me,

“God won’t rescue him.”

Selah

³But, Lord, you are my shield,

my wonderful God who gives me courage.

⁴I will pray to the Lord,

and he will answer me from his holy mountain.

Selah

⁵I can lie down and go to sleep,

and I will wake up again,

because the Lord gives me strength.

⁶Thousands of troops may surround me,

but I am not afraid.

⁷Lord, rise up!

My God, come save me!

You have struck my enemies on the cheek;

you have broken the teeth of the wicked.

⁸The Lord can save his people.

Lord, bless your people.

Selah

An Evening Prayer

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

4Answer me when I pray to you,

my God who does what is right.

Make things easier for me when I am in trouble.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

²People, how long will you turn my honor into shame?

How long will you love what is false and look for new lies?

Selah

³You know that the Lord has chosen for himself those who are loyal to him.

The Lord listens when I pray to him.

⁴When you are angry, do not sin.

Think about these things quietly

as you go to bed.

Selah

⁵Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord

and trust the Lord.

⁶Many people ask,

“Who will give us anything good?”

Lord, be kind to us.

⁷But you have made me very happy,

happier than they are,

even with all their grain and new wine.

⁸I go to bed and sleep in peace,

because, Lord, only you keep me safe.

A Morning Prayer for Protection

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

5Lord, listen to my words.

Understand my sadness.

²Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,

because I pray to you.

³Lord, every morning you hear my voice.

Every morning, I tell you what I need,

and I wait for your answer.

⁴You are not a God who is pleased with the wicked;

you do not live with those who do evil.

⁵Those people who make fun of you cannot stand before you.

You hate all those who do evil.

⁶You destroy liars;

the Lord hates those who kill and trick others.

⁷Because of your great love,

I can come into your Temple.

Because I fear and respect you,

I can worship in your holy Temple.

⁸Lord, since I have many enemies,

show me the right thing to do.

Show me clearly how you want me to live.

⁹My enemies’ mouths do not tell the truth;

in their hearts they want to destroy others.

Their throats are like open graves;

they use their tongues for telling lies.

¹⁰God, declare them guilty!

Let them fall into their own traps.

Send them away because their sins are many;

they have turned against you.

¹¹But let everyone who trusts you be happy;

let them sing glad songs forever.

Protect those who love you

and who are happy because of you.

¹²Lord, you bless those who do what is right;

you protect them like a soldier’s shield.