Psalm 4: Secure To Sleep

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2     O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3     But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4     Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5     Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
6     There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7     You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8     In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
 
Meditation
God’s steadfast love gives security to those whose trust is in Him. This evening Psalm by the sweet Psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 2:31) is a Scripture song to give shalom for sleep and security.
 
God’s past faithfulness is the ground for present power to trust His personal care- God will hear our prayer (1). With unanswered questions (2), we can be sure the Lord hears when His children cry out to Him. In Christ we are set apart as His own and He will hear us when we pray (3).
 
The Apostle Paul uses this Psalm when teaching the church how to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:26), warning the church to not sin in our anger by not going to sleep while still angry at the injustice of the world. Satan wants to steal shalom and he is looking for a foothold. Prayer puts our trust in the Lord to have peace in God’s presence, power, and promises (4-5).
 
God’s sovereign grace frees us to choose to lift our hearts to receive God’s blessing (verse 6 is anchored in Aaron’s blessing from Numbers 6:22-27). Pointing our hearts to heaven in prayer plants abounding joy in our life (7) and provides peace when we lay down to sleep (8).
 
Trusting the steadfast love of the Lord in prayer is the starting place for us to rest in God’s sovereign grace. God’s personal care invites Christians to cast our cares on the Lord in prayer, knowing He cares for us (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7).
 
Richly Dwelling
-What part of this evening Psalm stands out to you the most? Why? Take a moment to practice prayer that casts your cares on the Lord. Be specific.
 
-Where do you cast your cares other than to the Lord in prayer? Does that give you sustaining shalom, enough to sleep?
 
-God’s covenant faithfulness promises to always provide. Where have you seen God sustain you in the past? How does this give you both present strength and hope for tomorrow?
 
Key verse
6 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.