Psalms 3:5

I rested and slept; I awoke, ¹  for the Lord protects ²  me.

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

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.

I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.

I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again--rested, tall and steady,

I took my rest in sleep, and then again I was awake; for the Lord was my support.

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

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

I rested and slept; I awoke, ¹  for the Lord protects ²  me.

¹ tn The three verbal forms that appear in succession here (perfect + vav [ו] consecutive with preterite + perfect) are most naturally taken as narrational. When the psalmist received an assuring word from the Lord, he was able to sleep calmly. Because the Lord was protecting him, he awoke safely from his sleep.

² tn Or “supports”; “sustains.” In this explanatory causal clause the imperfect verbal form probably has a habitual or present progressive nuance, for the psalmist is confident of God’s continual protection (see v. 3). Another option is to take the verb as a preterite, “for the Lord protected me.” In this case, the psalmist focuses specifically on the protection God provided while he slept.