Psalm 4 | Now I lay me down to sleep

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The Book of Psalms provide for us a language for worship and prayer. “The Bible speaks to us but the Psalms speak for us.”

Observation: rhythm in David’s life: Prayer in the morning and prayer in the evening

Psalm 3 is considered a morning prayer: V.5 “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”

Psalm 4 is considered an evening prayer: V.8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Occasion: David is facing slander (more likely the same people from Psalm 3).

How to sleep when you find yourself between a rock and a hard place. Prayer is the key.

Prayer transforms my restless heart into a heart that rests in God.

Look back, Look up, & Look inside

Look back at God’s goodness

In v. 1 David writes, “You have given me relief when I was in distress.”

The Hebrew word for distress means “a tight place” (i.e. cave) and the word for relief means an “open place.”

The Lord took David from being stuck to a place of freedom.

This is not the first time David has been between a rock and a hard place. In v. 1 David is recalling God’s goodness in the past.

Why is important: Past experiences encourage confident prayer.

Notice David doesn’t come before God with a “I deserve” attitude. He comes before God with a humble attitude. He appeals to God’s mercy and goodness.

“Be gracious to me” (21x in the Psalms)

You are asking God to put his character of mercy and grace in full display. “I don’t deserve it.”

Prayer transforms my restless heart into a heart that rests in God.

Look up to God in prayer

David decides to glance at the problem but gaze at God.

Prayer is our greatest resource. The book of Psalms is in invitation to talk to God.

Ps 62:8 “8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him.”

Expectant prayer in Psalm 4.

“Answer me when I call”

“Hear my prayer”

The Lord hears when I call to him

Problems will either make run from God or make you run to God.

How can David approach God with confidence?

v.3 “The Lord has set apart the godly for himself. The Lord hears when i call to him.”

The word “godly” in Hebrew is “hasid” which is the adjective form of “hesed” (steadfast love”)

A hasid is someone who has experienced God’s hesed.

In Psalms, the godly are those who are under God’s covenant love.

Rom 5:6-8 “6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

David does something else, he remembers his identity. He is a child of the King of Kings. The Lord has set apart the godly FOR HIMSELF.

We must remind ourselves on a daily basis WHOSE WE ARE.

In other words, your life story is being held in the hands of the one who has set you apart of his purposes.

Ps 138:8 “8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

Prayer transforms my restless heart into a heart that rests in God.

Look inside your heart

David is honest with his emotions. He looks under the hood and examines his heart.

Ps 4:2 “2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah”

Ps 4:4 “4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah”

Wrong ways to handle emotions: bottle your emotions or explode.

The Bible: You have permission to be angry, but do not sin

Easier said than done

How? Here’s the strategy: Ponder and be silent

In other words, process your anger in a healthy way.

One of the reasons why we get so angry is because we don’t have control over people and circumstances.

Example: The Hebrew word kavod (lit “heavy”) is often used of a person’s reputation or significance, sometimes being translated as “honor.” (CSB Study Bible)

The Message of Psalms: Songs for the People of God 2. No Delusions about His Enemies

What lies behind the ‘glory’ phrases of 3:3 and 4:2? Perhaps something like this: ‘What glory!’ says David, ‘God has given me a kingdom.’ ‘What a shame!’ laughs Absalom, ‘it belongs to me now.’

Absalom used lies and deception to get the throne. David’s trusted counselor also gave him his back. Other people are accusing him of being a man of blood.

David tells himself, “David, it’s okay to feel anger, but don’t do act out in anger. David, heres’ what you need to do: “ponder & be silent”

Why is this bothering so much? Talk to yourself

What can I control? Owning my 2% of the problem.

What is out of my control? What people think of me.

Here’s the problem with unresolved anger: unresolved anger is an open door to Satan.

Eph 4:26-27 “26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.”

Anger feels like control and power. Nothing good comes from anger. It will destroy you and your relationships.

Prayer transforms my restless heart into a heart that rests in God.

How can prayer transform my restless heart into a heart that rests in God? By trusting in the sovereignty of God.

Ps 4:4-5 “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.”

To trust in the Lord or not to trust in the Lord? That is the question

Trust in the the sovereignty of God: God has everything under control. “He has the whole world in his hands.”

Example. Ps 2:1-4 “1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”

“The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests His head at night, giving perfect peace.”Charles H. Spurgeon

David no doubt has many reasons to be angry, but he has made a life-altering decision: I’m going to be still and wait on the Lord.

To be still is to trust God for the outcome.

Moses answered, “Do not be afraid… The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Ex. 14:13-14

When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  Ps. 4:4-5

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.  Ps. 37:7

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Ps. 46:10

Prayer transforms my restless heart into a heart that rests in God.

Ps 4:8 “8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Here’s why you can sleep good: Jesus has already won.

Psalm 4 was written by King David. But this Psalm also points to another King. His name is Jesus. King Jesus left his glory aside. He came down to earth and experienced shame and suffering. King Jesus died and ended up in a cave. The cave was tomb. But listen, he did not stayed in the cave, for on the third day he rose again. He has defeated our greatest enemies: sin and death.

Do you see how this enables us to face the trials and disappointments in life? I can trust him.