Psalm 3 is titled “The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom.” Surrounded by enemies who say God will not save him, David answers, “But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.” It is a morning psalm of courage: “I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.” Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 3 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom.
Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? Many are they who rise up against me.
Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.
But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.
I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.
For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Psalm 3: the same number in every Bible
Psalm 3 has the same number in the Douay-Rheims and in modern Bibles: the Greek and Latin numbering used by the Douay only differs from the Hebrew numbering between Psalms 10 and 147. In Latin the psalm begins Domine, quid multiplicati sunt qui tribulant me. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Betrayed by his own son: the psalm comes from one of the darkest moments of David’s life (2 Kings 15–18; 2 Samuel 15–18).
- God the shield: “my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.”
- Prayer is heard: “I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.”
- Sleep and rising: the Fathers of the Church read “I have slept… and I have risen up” as a prophecy of Christ’s Resurrection.
- “Salvation is of the Lord”: victory belongs to God.
How the Church uses Psalm 3
- In the Liturgy of the Hours, at the Office of Readings on Sunday of Week I, and as a morning prayer of trust.
- In the Eastern Churches, it opens the six psalms of Matins.
- For anyone facing opposition or betrayal, especially within the family. See psalms for protection.
A prayer with Psalm 3
Written for this page:
Lord, many rise up against me, but you are my shield, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cried to you, and you answered me.
I lay down and slept, and I rose again, for you sustained me.
Salvation belongs to you, Lord; let your blessing be upon your people. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 3 about?
David’s trust in God when he fled from his son Absalom, surrounded by enemies.
Why do Christians see the Resurrection in Psalm 3?
Because of the verse “I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me,” which the Fathers applied to Christ.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 3, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.