Psalm 3–5

Psalm 3

Trust in God under Adversity

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

¹O Lord, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

²many are saying to me,

“There is no help for you^b in God.”   Selah

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

my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.^*

⁴I cry aloud to the Lord,

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

⁵I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.^*

⁶I am not afraid of ten thousands of people

who have set themselves against me all around.

⁷Rise up, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God!

For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;

you break the teeth of the wicked.

⁸Deliverance belongs to the Lord;

may your blessing be on your people!   Selah^*

Psalm 4

Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

¹Answer me when I call, O God of my right!

You gave me room when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.^*

²How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?   Selah^*

³But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;

the Lord hears when I call to him.^*

⁴When you are disturbed,^c do not sin;

ponder it on your beds, and be silent.   Selah^*

⁵Offer right sacrifices,

and put your trust in the Lord.^*

⁶There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!

Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”^*

⁷You have put gladness in my heart

more than when their grain and wine abound.^*

⁸I will both lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.^*

Psalm 5

Trust in God for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

¹Listen to my words, O Lord;

attend to my sighing.^*

²Listen to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you I pray.^*

³O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I plead my case to you and watch.^*

⁴For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil will not sojourn with you.^*

⁵The boastful will not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.^*

⁶You destroy those who speak lies;

the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.^*

⁷But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house;

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in awe of you.^*

⁸Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.^*

⁹For there is no truth in their mouths;

their hearts are destruction;

their throats are open graves;

they flatter with their tongues.^*

¹⁰Make them bear their guilt, O God;

let them fall by their own counsels;

because of their many transgressions, cast them out,

for they have rebelled against you.^*

¹¹But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

so that those who love your name may exult in you.^*

¹²For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover them with favor as with a shield.^*