THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - July 27, 2014 - Day 4 - Psalm 4

Sometimes nighttime can be the hardest. Our day may be filled with trials, with fears, and with difficult circumstances but by God’s grace we survive to live another day. But evening as the sun goes down can be a time when doubts and fears creep in. Closing our eyes to sleep is a time when our minds start to wander and worry and anxiety can overtake us. Psalm 4 is known as a night-time psalm. Possibly David wrote this psalm after a second day of his flight from his pursuing enemies, one of which was his own son. In it we find help for the night.

As in Psalm 3 we see David taking the best, first step in any and all situations; he prays.

Psalm 4:1
“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!”

Going into the place of prayer will lead us to the place of peace. But we shall not take hold of God’s peace unless we can come to him in faith and trust that He will take care of us. In this psalm we find David doing just that.

Psalm 4:3
“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.”

Notice though what has occurred in David, who having placed his trust in God, does not stop there. David understands that to those whom God has chosen to dwell within His salvation, also comes the process of sanctification for “LORD has set apart the godly for himself.” Then David offers advice when he says in verses 4-5, “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.”

Note again the use of the term “Selah.” First we should check our anger, which may lead us to sin, at the door before finishing our night. Then ponder your heart, give some thought to how the day’s events have affected your attitude and take some time to be quiet as you do so. Then comes the pause, Selah. Having gotten our hearts right then and then only can we make our sacrifices to God and put our trust in Him.

David chooses to find his joy in God, not in the things of the world. How many of us turn to alcohol in our evenings in the hope of putting away the harshness of the day? But David finds his joy in the Lord. Psalm 4:7, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”

See the result of David’s choice to go to God in prayer and not only have lifted up his requests, but having then paused and considered his own heart as he gets quiet. Oh how often we say we don’t hear from God yet how could we? We must be quiet to hear from God. But David having done so finishes this psalm saying “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

Want to lie down and sleep with complete peace and safety? Like David, go to God. Skip the nightcap and spend some quiet time with Jesus. He, alone, is the peace we need.