Psalms 3:5

KJV

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

KJV (with Strong's)

I laid me down {H7901} and slept {H3462}; I awaked {H6974}; for the LORD {H3068} sustained {H5564} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I lie down and sleep, then wake up again, because ADONAI sustains me.

Berean Standard Bible

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.

American Standard Version

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for Jehovah sustaineth me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 3:5 stands as a profound testament to King David's unwavering faith and the Lord's active, sustaining power, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. This verse captures a moment of radical peace and secure rest amidst the chaos of betrayal and rebellion, illustrating how divine sustenance enables a believer to find tranquility and renewal, confident in God's protective presence. It is a powerful declaration that true security comes not from the absence of danger, but from the constant, upholding hand of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 3 is a morning psalm, a prayer of lament and trust, likely composed by David upon waking. It immediately follows the initial cries of distress in [Psalms 3:1-2](/psalms/3-1 "Psalms 3:1-2 - David's Distress") where David acknowledges his many adversaries who mock his trust in God. The verse "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me" serves as the pivotal turning point, demonstrating David's practical application of the trust he declares in [Psalms 3:3-4](/psalms/3-3 "Psalms 3:3-4 - God as Shield and Lifter of Head"). His peaceful sleep and confident awakening, despite the surrounding threats, validate his earlier declaration that God is his shield and glory. The psalm then continues to express confidence in God's deliverance and blessing upon His people in [Psalms 3:7-8](/psalms/3-7 "Psalms 3:7-8 - Prayer for Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalms 3 attributes it to David "when he fled from Absalom his son." This refers to the desperate period described in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"), where David, the anointed king, was forced to flee Jerusalem barefoot and weeping, betrayed by his own son and many of his trusted advisors. This was a crisis of unprecedented magnitude, threatening his life, his throne, and the very stability of his kingdom. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king's ability to maintain peace and security was paramount; David's flight signified extreme vulnerability. His ability to sleep soundly in such perilous circumstances, surrounded by enemies and in fear of his life, would have been culturally astonishing, a direct counter-narrative to the expected anxiety and sleeplessness of one in his position. It underscored a profound, supernatural peace rooted in divine protection.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Protection and Sustenance**, highlighting God's active and personal involvement in preserving the lives of His faithful. David's experience is a vivid illustration that God's care is not abstract but tangible, enabling rest even when danger is imminent, as also seen in [Psalms 4:8](/psalms/4-8 "Psalms 4:8 - Peaceful Sleep in God"). It also underscores the theme of **Peace Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that genuine faith can produce an inner tranquility that transcends chaotic external circumstances. This echoes the "peace that surpasses all understanding" found in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"). Finally, the verse speaks to **God's Enduring Faithfulness**. The very act of waking up safely, day after day, becomes a fresh testimony to God's unwavering commitment to uphold those who trust in Him, reinforcing the biblical concept of God as a reliable and constant refuge, as He promises in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace for Trusting Hearts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slept (Hebrew, _shakav'_):** This verb means "to lie down," "to rest," or "to sleep." In the context of Psalms 3:5, it signifies a deep, undisturbed slumber, a physical state of complete repose. For David, facing mortal threats, this was not merely a biological necessity but a profound act of trust, surrendering his anxieties and vulnerability into God's care. It contrasts sharply with the sleepless nights often associated with fear and distress.
* **Awaked (Hebrew, _yaqats'_):** Meaning "to awake," "to rouse," or "to be alert." The act of waking implies not only the cessation of sleep but also a renewal of strength and consciousness. For David, his awakening was a direct result of God's sustaining power, a fresh testimony to divine preservation. It signifies a new day granted by God's grace, a re-engagement with life's challenges from a position of renewed strength and confidence.
* **Sustained (Hebrew, סָמַךְ, _samakh'_):** This crucial verb carries the meaning of "to lean upon," "to support," "to uphold," "to prop up," or "to strengthen." It implies a strong, active, and continuous divine intervention. It is not a passive allowance but an energetic, personal act of God's power that enabled David to rest securely and rise safely. The use of _samakh_ emphasizes God's direct and powerful involvement in preserving David's life and peace, acting as his firm foundation and constant support.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I laid me down and slept":** This clause describes David's deliberate act of surrendering to sleep. Despite the overwhelming external circumstances—his life in danger, his kingdom in turmoil, and his own son pursuing him—David chose to lie down and rest. This is not a description of unconsciousness due to exhaustion, but a conscious decision to trust, allowing himself to be vulnerable in sleep, knowing that his protection lay elsewhere.
* **"I awaked":** This simple yet profound statement attests to the miraculous nature of his survival and renewal. In a situation where he could have been easily assassinated during the night, or succumbed to the mental anguish that often prevents sleep, David not only slept but also awoke. His awakening signifies a new day, a fresh opportunity, and a clear sign of God's watchful care throughout the night.
* **"for the LORD sustained me":** This final clause provides the theological explanation and the ultimate reason for David's peaceful sleep and safe awakening. It is not due to his own strength, the absence of danger, or the vigilance of his guards, but solely because the sovereign Lord actively upheld him. The word "sustained" ( _samakh_ ) emphasizes God's direct, powerful, and continuous support, serving as the bedrock of David's peace and security.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 3:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where David's profound internal peace and secure sleep are juxtaposed against the extreme external peril and the multitude of enemies described in the preceding verses. This stark difference highlights the supernatural nature of his tranquility, which defies natural expectation. **Personal Testimony** is central, as David uses first-person pronouns ("I laid me down," "I awaked") to share his direct, lived experience of divine intervention, making the truth of God's sustaining power deeply personal and relatable. The acts of "sleeping" and "waking" also function as **Symbolism**: sleep symbolizes trust, surrender, and vulnerability, while waking symbolizes renewal, divine preservation, and the faithfulness of God bringing about a new day. The verse's concise structure, moving from action to outcome to divine cause, also lends it a sense of clear, declarative **Assertion**, reinforcing the absolute certainty of God's active role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 3:5 is a powerful theological statement about the character of God and His relationship with His people. It reveals God as the ultimate Sustainer, whose active presence and power transcend human circumstances and anxieties. This verse affirms God's omnipotence and omnipresence, demonstrating that He is able to watch over His beloved even when they are most vulnerable, providing a peace that the world cannot offer. It underscores the biblical truth that true security is found not in human strength or favorable conditions, but in absolute reliance on the Lord. David's experience becomes a paradigm for all believers, inviting them to cast their anxieties upon God and find rest in His unfailing care.

* [Psalms 4:8](/psalms/4-8 "Psalms 4:8 - Peaceful Sleep in God's Presence")
* [Proverbs 3:24](/proverbs/3-24 "Proverbs 3:24 - Sleep Without Fear")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Sustaining Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 3:5 offers profound encouragement and a practical model for faith in a world often characterized by anxiety, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges. David's ability to find deep, restorative sleep amidst mortal danger serves as a powerful invitation for us to surrender our worries and fears to the Lord. This verse reminds us that our peace is not contingent upon the absence of problems, but upon the presence of God. It calls us to cultivate a radical trust in His daily care, recognizing that every breath, every new day, and every moment of rest is a gift sustained by His grace. In our personal struggles, professional pressures, or global anxieties, we are invited to lay down our burdens, knowing that the Lord is actively upholding us. The simple act of waking each morning can become a conscious moment of gratitude and renewed dependence on God's unwavering faithfulness, transforming our perspective from one of fear to one of hopeful expectation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently struggling to find peace or rest due to overwhelming circumstances?**
* **How does David's ability to sleep soundly amidst betrayal and danger challenge your own understanding of trust in God?**
* **What practical steps can you take today to intentionally "lay down" your anxieties and rely more fully on the Lord's sustaining power?**

### FAQ
**What was David's specific situation when he wrote this Psalm?**

Answer: David wrote this psalm during one of the most traumatic periods of his life: when he was fleeing from his own son, Absalom, who had orchestrated a rebellion to usurp his throne. This event is detailed in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). David was not only facing an external military threat but also the profound personal pain of betrayal by his beloved son and many of his trusted advisors. He was forced to leave Jerusalem, vulnerable and in great distress, making his ability to sleep and wake up safely a remarkable testament to his faith.

**How can I experience the kind of peace and rest David describes amidst my own troubles?**

Answer: David's experience in [Psalms 3:5](/psalms/3-5 "Psalms 3:5 - God Sustains David") is a direct result of his deep trust in God's sovereignty and protection. To experience similar peace, we are called to actively surrender our anxieties to God, as encouraged in [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Casting All Your Cares on Him"). This involves prayer, acknowledging God's power and faithfulness, and consciously choosing to rest in His care rather than succumbing to worry. Just as David declared, "You, O Lord, are a shield about me" ([Psalms 3:3](/psalms/3-3 "Psalms 3:3 - God as David's Shield")), we can find peace by focusing on God's character as our protector and sustainer, allowing His presence to calm our fears.

**Does "the LORD sustained me" imply that God will prevent all harm or make my life easy?**

Answer: No, "the LORD sustained me" does not guarantee an absence of hardship or an easy life. David's context clearly shows he was in immense danger and suffering. Instead, "sustained" (Hebrew _samakh_) signifies God's active upholding and strengthening of His people *through* their trials. It means He provides the inner peace, resilience, and strength needed to endure, and ultimately, He preserves life and purpose according to His will. It's about God's faithfulness in upholding us even when circumstances are dire, ensuring that we are not overwhelmed and that His ultimate purposes for us prevail, as He promises in [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God Strengthens and Helps").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 3:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's experience of divine sustenance amidst mortal threat foreshadows the perfect trust of the Son of God. While David found peace in sleep, Jesus, in His humanity, also demonstrated perfect reliance on the Father, even sleeping soundly in a storm-tossed boat, rebuking the disciples' fear with a calm that could only come from divine assurance ([Mark 4:38-39](/mark/4-38 "Mark 4:38-39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). More profoundly, Jesus's "laying down" and "awakening" points to His death and resurrection. He willingly "laid down His life" on the cross, entrusting His spirit to the Father ([Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Last Words")), a sleep of death for the sins of the world. His "awakening" on the third day, His glorious resurrection, is the ultimate testament to the Father's sustaining power, conquering sin and death. This act of God "sustaining" His Son through death and raising Him to new life is the foundation of our hope and the source of our own peace. Through Christ, we are offered a peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace")), and the promise that He, our great Shepherd, will sustain us through every trial, even death itself, bringing us to a glorious "awakening" in Him ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 3:24

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Leviticus 26:6

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make [you] afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

Job 11:18

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig [about thee, and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

Job 11:19

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Psalms 127:2

[It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.