I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
Parallel translations
- WEB I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.
- KJV I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
- BSB I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
- NKJV I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
- NLT I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David can lie down, sleep, and wake again because the Lord sustains him. Trust in God brings peace even in danger.
Overview
Surrounded by enemies, David sleeps soundly and wakes safely, evidence of God's sustaining care. Restful sleep amid threat is a quiet act of faith, entrusting one's life to God through the night. Some Christians have also seen here a hint of resurrection hope, for the God who sustains through sleep raises His people to new life in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 4:8In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
- Prov 3:24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
- Isa 26:3You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
- Lev 26:6“‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
- Job 11:18–19You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.
- Ps 127:2It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
- Prov 18:10Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
- Prov 14:26In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
- Ps 66:9who preserves our life among the living, and doesn’t allow our feet to be moved.
- Acts 12:6The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 3:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.