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

3: 1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting!

Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,

Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:

“Hah! No help for him from God!”

3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides;

You ground my feet, you lift my head high;

With all my might I shout up to God,

His answers thunder from the holy mountain.

5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep.

Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady,

Fearless before the enemy mobs

Coming at me from all sides.

7 Up, God! My God, help me!

Slap their faces,

First this cheek, then the other,

Your fist hard in their teeth!

8 Real help comes from God.

Your blessing clothes your people!

King David was the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel. In the Middle Ages, King David was the author of Psalms 1. Their words and illustrations were often linked to the story of David’s journey of redemption from shepherd and sinner to divinely chosen king.