Psalm 3–5

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

¹O Lord, I have so many enemies;

so many are against me.

²So many are saying,

“God will never rescue him!”

Interlude

³But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;

you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

⁴I cried out to the Lord,

and he answered me from his holy mountain.

Interlude

⁵I lay down and slept,

yet I woke up in safety,

for the Lord was watching over me.

⁶I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies

who surround me on every side.

⁷Arise, O Lord!

Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

⁸Victory comes from you, O Lord.

May you bless your people.

Interlude

Psalm 4

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

¹Answer me when I call to you,

O God who declares me innocent.

Free me from my troubles.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

²How long will you people ruin my reputation?

How long will you make groundless accusations?

How long will you continue your lies?

Interlude

³You can be sure of this:

The Lord set apart the godly for himself.

The Lord will answer when I call to him.

⁴Don’t sin by letting anger control you.

Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Interlude

⁵Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,

and trust the Lord.

⁶Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”

Let your face smile on us, Lord.

⁷You have given me greater joy

than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

⁸In peace I will lie down and sleep,

for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 5

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.

¹O Lord, hear me as I pray;

pay attention to my groaning.

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

for I pray to no one but you.

³Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.

Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

⁴O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;

you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.

⁵Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,

for you hate all who do evil.

⁶You will destroy those who tell lies.

The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.

⁷Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;

I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.

⁸Lead me in the right path, O Lord,

or my enemies will conquer me.

Make your way plain for me to follow.

⁹My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.

Their deepest desire is to destroy others.

Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.

Their tongues are filled with flattery.

¹⁰O God, declare them guilty.

Let them be caught in their own traps.

Drive them away because of their many sins,

for they have rebelled against you.

¹¹But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them sing joyful praises forever.

Spread your protection over them,

that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

¹²For you bless the godly, O Lord;

you surround them with your shield of love.