Psalm 3

1. O LORD, how swiftly grows / The number of my foes / Who wantonly oppress me! / Yes, multiplied are they / That rise to my dismay, / And day by day distress me. / Though heavy my despair, / They scornfully declare / To my humiliation, / That Thou, O God, no more / Canst help me as before / Or come to my salvation. /

2. But Thou, LORD, always art / A shield about my heart, / My hope and sure reliance. / Thou, in the hour of dread, / Dost lift my weary head, / And biddest them defiance. / Whene’er to God I cried, / He hastened to my side / In all my tribulations; / From Zion’s mountain fair / He looked on my despair / And heard my supplications. /

3. When I lay down, I slept; / I woke, for I was kept / In His divine protection. / The LORD was at my side, / My safety He supplied, / Whatever my affliction. / Defended by His hand, / I shall undaunted stand / While thousands surge about me; / Though furious foemen wage / Their war with mighty rage, / I know they shall not rout me. /

4. Arise and save me, LORD, / For Thou hast smitten hard / The jaws of them that hate me; / Yes, Thou didst fiercely break / For me Thy servant’s sake / The teeth of the ungodly. / I shall not suffer long, / For my salvation strong / Thou, O my LORD, providest. / Thy people all will rest / By Thee so richly blest, / Since Thou with them abidest.
Dewey Westra, 1931