A weary fugitive king prays beside a shield as enemies gather on distant ridges

Psalm 3:5

New International Version
Chapter overview
Surrounded during flight, the psalmist entrusts danger and reputation to God. Protection becomes a shield, prayer receives an answer, and secure sleep leads to renewed courage despite overwhelming opposition on every side.
RefugePrayerProtectionCourage

About Psalms: book summary and outline →

1Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
2Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
3But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
7Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
8From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
‹ Psalm 2Psalm 4 ›

Verses to memorize from Psalm 3

  • Psalm 3:3But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my…
  • Psalm 3:5I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

New International Version — Licensed through API.Bible, non-commercial use only, no derivatives. Where these translations come from.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Text unchanged, provided through API.Bible.