Trust in the Lord – Psalm 4

A text – Psalm 4

4:1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
4:2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4:4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
4:5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
4:6 There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
4:7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

A reflection:

Psalm 4 is one of those “How long?” psalms. The writer is under stress because he or she has been shamed and must live with being shamed until some kind of vindication comes. The writer’s advice to others who suffer: do not sin, but lie down and ponder. Trust in the Lord.

By the 8^th verse, the writer says, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” We worry about everything – things that directly affect our well-being and things around the world that we cannot affect very much. At the end of the psalm we are encouraged to let all that go and sleep in peace.

These are days when things to worry about abound. We could take it all on. And many of us do. But here we are reminded that the Lord makes us lie down in safety, just the way the good shepherd makes us to lie down in green pastures. We are mere mortals and we actually do need to sleep to restore ourselves for tomorrow’s work. Sleep peacefully. God is taking care of it tonight. Trust in the Lord.   Amen.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for letting us trust in you to take care of the world while we sleep. Help us to remember that you are the one who can give everyone a good night’s sleep. We do not have to monitor the whole world every night. Help us to trust in the Lord.    Amen.