Reference

Psalms 3:5

Death as Sleep
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”
3

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5

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

6

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7

Arise, 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.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Death as Sleep

The verse explicitly describes the psalmist's experience of literal sleep and waking, not death. The act of waking directly contradicts the concept of death as sleep, as death is typically understood as a permanent state from which one does not naturally awaken.

Death as Sleep
Death as Sleep

Cross-References

Psalms 4:8Thematic

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

Psalms 4:8Thematic

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

Proverbs 3:24Thematic

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

Isaiah 26:3Thematic

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

Proverbs 3:24Thematic

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

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Thematic Connections

Death as Sleep

Private Study Note