Flight from Abessalom
Psalms 3
David prays as he flees from his son Abessalom, surrounded by many who say the Lord will not deliver him, yet he lies down and sleeps in peace and calls on God to rise up and save his people.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonA Psalm of David, when he fled from the presence of his son Abessalom.
GreekΨαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ, ὁπότε ἀπεδίδρασκεν ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἀβεσσαλὼμ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPSA Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
2
ThomsonO LORD! why have they who afflicted me multiplied? Many are risen up against me.
BrentonO Lord, why are they that afflict me multiplied? many rise up against me.
GreekΚύριε τί ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ θλίβοντές με; πολλοὶ ἐπανίστανται ἐπʼ ἐμέ.
KJVLord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
JPSLORD, how many are mine adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me.
3
ThomsonMany say respecting my life, In this God of his he hath no safety.*
BrentonMany say concerning my soul, There is no deliverance for him in his God. Pause.
GreekΠολλοὶ λέγουσι τῇ ψυχῇ μου, οὐκ ἔστι σωτηρία αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ αὐτοῦ· διάψαλμα.
KJVMany there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
JPSMany there are that say of my soul: 'There is no salvation for him in God.' Selah
4
ThomsonBut Thou, O Lord, art my protector; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
BrentonBut thou, O Lord, art my helper: my glory, and the one that lifts up my head.
GreekΣὺ δὲ Κύριε, ἀντιλήπτωρ μου εἶ, δόξα μου, καὶ ὑψῶν τὴν κεφαλήν μου.
KJVBut thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
JPSBut thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of my head.
5
ThomsonWith my voice I cried to the Lord, and from His holy mount He heard me.
BrentonI cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy mountain. Pause.
GreekΦωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, καὶ ἐπήκουσέ μου ἐξ ὄρους ἁγίου αὐτοῦ· διάψαλμα.
KJVI cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
JPSWith my voice I call unto the LORD, and He answereth me out of His holy mountain. Selah
6
ThomsonI laid me down to rest and slept—I awoke. Because the Lord will protect me,
BrentonI lay down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord will help me.
GreekἘγὼ ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα, ἐξηγέρθην, ὅτι Κύριος ἀντιλήψεταί μου.
KJVI laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
JPSI lay me down, and I sleep; I awake, for the LORD sustaineth me.
7
ThomsonI will not be afraid of myriads of people—of them who are besetting me round about.
BrentonI will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, who beset me round about.
GreekΟὐ φοβηθήσομαι ἀπὸ μυριάδων λαοῦ, τῶν κύκλῳ ἐπιτιθεμένων μοι.
KJVI will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
JPSI am not afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
8
ThomsonArise, O Lord; save me, O my God! Because Thou hast smitten all them, who foolishly were mine enemies—hast broken the teeth of sinners:
BrentonArise, Lord; deliver me, my God: for thou hast smitten all who were without cause mine enemies; thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
GreekἈνάστα Κύριε, σῶσόν με ὁ Θεός μου· ὅτι σὺ ἐπάταξας πάντας τοὺς ἐχθραίνοντάς μοι ματαίως, ὀδόντας ἁμαρτωλῶν συνέτριψας.
KJVArise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
JPSArise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek, Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.
9
Thomsonthis deliverance is the Lord’s: let Thy blessing be upon Thy people also.
BrentonDeliverance is the Lord's, and thy blessing is upon thy people.
GreekΤοῦ Κυρίου ἡ σωτηρία, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου ἡ εὐλογία σου.
KJVSalvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
JPSSalvation belongeth unto the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people. Selah