1A psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.[#The superscription, added later, relates the Psalm to an incident in the life of David.; #2 Sm 15:13ff.]
2How many are my foes, Lord !
How many rise against me!
3How many say of me,[#3:3, 3:5, 3:9] : the term is generally considered a direction to the cantor or musicians but its exact meaning is not known. It occurs seventy-one times in thirty-nine Psalms.]
“There is no salvation for him in God.”
4But you, Lord , are a shield around me;
my glory, you keep my head high.
5With my own voice I will call out to the Lord ,
and he will answer me from his holy mountain.
6I lie down and I fall asleep,
[and] I will wake up, for the Lord sustains me.
7I do not fear, then, thousands of people
arrayed against me on every side.
8Arise, Lord ! Save me, my God!
For you strike the cheekbone of all my foes;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
9Salvation is from the Lord !
May your blessing be upon your people!