Psalm 3–5

Psalm 3

A psalm of David when he ran away from his son Absalom.

¹Lord, I have so many enemies!

So many people are rising up against me!

²Many are saying about me,

“God will not save him.” Selah

³Lord, you are like a shield that keeps me safe.

You honor me. You help me win the battle.

⁴I call out to the Lord.

He answers me from his holy hill. Selah

⁵I lie down and sleep.

I wake up again, because the Lord takes care of me.

⁶I won’t be afraid of the tens of thousands

who are lined up against me on every side.

⁷Lord, rise up!

My God, save me!

Strike all my enemies in the face.

Break the teeth of sinful people.

⁸Lord, you are the one who saves.

May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Psalm 4

For the director of music. A psalm of David to be played on stringed instruments.

¹My faithful God,

answer me when I call out to you.

Give me rest from my trouble.

Show me your favor. Hear my prayer.

²How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

How long will you love what will certainly fail you?

How long will you pray to statues of gods? Selah

³Remember that the Lord has set his faithful people apart for himself.

The Lord will hear me when I call out to him.

⁴When you are angry, do not sin.

When you are in bed,

look deep down inside you and be silent. Selah

⁵Offer sacrifices to the Lord in the right way.

Trust in him.

⁶Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?”

Lord, let us see your face smiling on us with favor.

⁷You have filled my heart with great joy.

It is greater than the joy of people who have lots of grain and fresh wine.

⁸I will lie down and sleep in peace.

Lord, you alone keep me safe.

Psalm 5

For the director of music. A psalm of David to be played on flutes.

¹Lord, listen to my words.

Pay attention when I sigh.

²My King and my God,

listen to me when I cry for help.

I pray to you.

³Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.

In the morning I pray to you.

I wait for you in hope.

⁴God, you aren’t happy with anything that is evil.

Those who do what is wrong can’t live where you are.

⁵Those who are proud can’t stand in front of you.

You hate everyone who does what is evil.

⁶You destroy those who tell lies.

Lord, you hate murderers and those who cheat others.

⁷Because of your great love

I will come into your house.

With deep respect I will bow down

toward your holy temple.

⁸Lord, I have many enemies.

Lead me in your right path.

Make your way smooth and straight for me.

⁹Not a word from their mouths can be trusted.

Their hearts are filled with plans to destroy others.

Their throats are like open graves.

With their tongues they tell lies.

¹⁰God, show that they are guilty.

Let their evil plans bring them down.

Send them away because of their many sins.

They have refused to obey you.

¹¹But let all those who go to you for safety be glad.

Let them always sing with joy.

Spread your cover over them and keep them safe.

Then those who love you will be glad because of you.

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

Like a shield, your loving care keeps them safe.