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A Morning Prayer

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

Lord, I have many enemies!
    Many people have turned against me.
Many people are talking about me.
    They say, “God won’t rescue him.” Selah

But, Lord, you are my shield.
    You are my wonderful God who gives me courage.
I will pray to the Lord.
    And he will answer me from his holy mountain. Selah

I can lie down and go to sleep.
    And I will wake up again
    because the Lord protects me.
Thousands of enemies may surround me.
    But I am not afraid.

Lord, rise up!
    My God, come save me!
You have hit my enemies on the cheek.
    You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
The Lord can save his people.
    Lord, bless your people. Selah

Psalm 3[a]

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.(A)

Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.(B)[b]

But you, Lord, are a shield(C) around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.(D)
I call out to the Lord,(E)
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.(F)

I lie down and sleep;(G)
    I wake again,(H) because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear(I) though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.(J)

Arise,(K) Lord!
    Deliver me,(L) my God!
Strike(M) all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth(N) of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.(O)
    May your blessing(P) be on your people.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:1 In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9.
  2. Psalm 3:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.