Psalm 4

The Lord Hears When I Call to Him.

Although this is a psalm of lament, David provides us with some very interesting imagery of comfort.  Twice he mentions lying in bed while comprehending God's nature, and that detail is very interesting to me.  After all, when we are laying down in our beds, we are at our most vulnerable.  It is a time when we try and shut out all of the other things in the world and come to rest.  Often, during this time, at least for me, you have more time inside of your own head, where, uninterrupted, I can think for a minute or two on the big things in my life and the big things facing the world.  Perhaps, while in laying in bed, it is the best time to feel God around you.

The first instance of bed rest we have in this psalm is in verse 4, when David tells us "When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent".  Many times I have written that God is always speaking to us, but it is up to us to listen.  That seems to be our instructions here.  We phase out all of the problems of the world around us, and lie in our beds, surrounded by blankets, and make ourselves a little cocoon that separates us from everything else.  Then, alone with our thoughts, we search our hearts.  David instructs us to be silent, since we need to be humble to receive God.  We stop and listen, and that allows us to ponder the entirety of God's wonder and creation.

The other talk of lying in bed comes in the final verse 8, where David, lying down in sleep, says "You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."  It makes the act of lying in bed a two way street.  God provides us the love and comfort to safely lie in rest, and in exchange, we can use that time to lie and listen to Him and open our hearts.  Prior to this, David thanks God for his prosperity, and the joy and abundance that the presence of the Lord, offering thanksgiving for "the light of your face" shining on them.  David realizes that when he has a relationship with God, when that light is shining on him, that he has the comfort and and love of God.  That not only provides for his soul while he wakes, but also provides while he's resting as well.

Rather than a psalm of anguish, this seems more like a psalm of comfort and joy.  It's a reminder that if you follow and obey God, if you listen to Him when he calls, you will share in his love and comfort.  God is good to those who trust Him.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Tremble and do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.

6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.