Psalms 3:5 Meaning and Explanation
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist slept peacefully and woke because the LORD upheld him.
The Context of Psalms 3:5
An example of faith expressed through rest in God's care.
What Does Psalms 3:5 Mean?
Despite overwhelming enemies, the psalmist was able to sleep—a striking testimony to his trust. He lay down in vulnerability and found rest, something his circumstances should have forbidden. This peaceful sleep in peril shows his faith is not mere words.
Upon waking, he recognizes that the LORD sustained him through the night. He did not wake to tragedy; he woke to God's faithfulness. The LORD's sustaining power is not dramatic rescue but steady presence through the dangerous hours.
Psalms 3:5 in the Original Language
yimlok (יִמְלֹךְ), 'sustained' — a word meaning to uphold or support; God held him up through the night.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 3:5
What does Psalms 3:5 mean?
The psalmist slept peacefully and woke because the LORD upheld him.
What is the context of Psalms 3:5?
An example of faith expressed through rest in God's care.