Psalms 3-5

Psalm 3

¹A Psalm. Of David. When he went in flight from Absalom his son. Lord, how greatly are they increased who make attacks on me! in great numbers they come against me.

²Unnumbered are those who say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. (Selah.)

³But your strength, O Lord, is round me, you are my glory and the lifter up of my head.

⁴I send up a cry to the Lord with my voice, and he gives me an answer from his holy hill. (Selah.)

⁵I took my rest in sleep, and then again I was awake; for the Lord was my support.

⁶I will have no fear, though ten thousand have come round me, putting themselves against me.

⁷Come to me, Lord; keep me safe, O my God; for you have given all my haters blows on their face-bones; the teeth of the evil-doers have been broken by you.

⁸Salvation comes from the Lord; your blessing is on your people. (Selah.)

Psalm 4

¹To the chief music-maker on corded instruments. A Psalm. Of David. Give answer to my cry, O God of my righteousness; make me free from my troubles; have mercy on me, and give ear to my prayer.

²O you sons of men, how long will you go on turning my glory into shame? how long will you give your love to foolish things, going after what is false? (Selah.)

³See how the Lord has made great his mercy for me; the Lord will give ear to my cry.

⁴Let there be fear in your hearts, and do no sin; have bitter feelings on your bed, but make no sound. (Selah.)

⁵Give the offerings of righteousness, and put your faith in the Lord.

⁶There are numbers who say, Who will do us any good? the light of his face has gone from us.

⁷Lord, you have put joy in my heart, more than they have when their grain and their wine are increased.

⁸I will take my rest on my bed in peace, because you only, Lord, keep me safe.

Psalm 5

¹To the chief music-maker on wind instruments. A Psalm. Of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord; give thought to my heart-searchings.

²Let the voice of my cry come to you, my King and my God; for to you will I make my prayer.

³My voice will come to you in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I send my prayer to you, and keep watch.

⁴For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wrongdoing; there is no evil with you.

⁵The sons of pride have no place before you; you are a hater of all workers of evil.

⁶You will send destruction on those whose words are false; the cruel man and the man of deceit are hated by the Lord.

⁷But as for me, I will come into your house, in the full measure of your mercy; and in your fear I will give worship, turning my eyes to your holy Temple.

⁸Be my guide, O Lord, in the ways of your righteousness, because of those who are against me; make your way straight before my face.

⁹For no faith may be put in their words; their inner part is nothing but evil; their throat is like an open place for the dead; smooth are the words of their tongues.

¹⁰Send them to destruction, O Lord; let their evil designs be the cause of their fall; let them be forced out by all their sins; because they have gone against your authority.

¹¹But let all those who put their faith in you be glad with cries of joy at all times, and let all the lovers of your name be glad in you.

¹²For you, Lord, will send a blessing on the upright man; your grace will be round him, and you will be his strength.