Posts Tagged: Psalm 4

“Trusting God with My Sleep”

On August 31, 2024 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“Psa. 4:0         To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Psa. 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!

Psa. 4:2           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.

Psa. 4:4           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.

Psa. 4:6           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.

Psa. 4:8           In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

                        for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (English Standard Version)

The story is told that before Socrates was executed, he slept like a baby. As far as I know, I am not scheduled to drink hemlock, but I struggle with a lack of sleep these days. Five-and-a-half hours is not enough. Nine or ten would feel much better.

What is my problem? I wish I knew. I would love to experience Psalm 4:8. Obviously, vss. 1 and 2 of this psalm suggest that the psalmists was having some real problems with some real bad dudes. Apparently he was experiencing shame, probably because of lies that were going the rounds about him.

And yet, he says that he will lie down and sleep. How can he do that? Because he trusts God. Do I, I wonder?

Of course, there are many reasons why people don’t sleep, but in my case I wonder. Do I trust God or not?

The story of is told of a pastor who was terribly worried about things that were going on in his church. He was up at two in the morning, pacing back and forth, trying to pray. Finally, God got in a word edgewise. “Son, why don’t you go on to bed and rest? I’ll stay up and worry about this.” The pastor laughed and went to bed.

Good night, all!

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