Psalm 4
1Answer 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.
If you look at the way this Psalm is bracketed, it is a helpful tool for prayer. The first verse is made up of words to God. Verses 2-5 are directed to the people. Verses 6-8 conclude directed towards God. Think about this for a second.
In our prayer life, how many times do we ask God to intercede for others? Or pray for others? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us that in all things, we are to give thanks to God, for it is God's will. How much easier to do that when the first thing and the last thing we do is give thanks to God.
As the Psalmist prays, notice how it starts with a supplication, "Answer me when I call..." Yet he remembers why he is asking God: "You gave me room when I was in distress." At what point do you find yourself in distress? How many times has God answered your call before? It may have taken a long time, but chances are that God answered and gave you room when you were in distress. Will God not answer once again?
As the Psalm closes, the Psalmist states this fact: "I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." If you are reading this during the day, pray this Psalm now. But as a challenge, take your Bible, and say this prayer before you lie down this evening. For it is the Lord who makes us lie down in safety.
Pray Psalm 4 (and then pray it at night).
G. Thomas Martin
1Answer 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.
2How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?
Selah
3But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4When you are disturbed,* do not sin;
ponder it on your beds, and be silent.
Selah
5Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
6There are many who say, 'O that we might see some good!
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!' 7You have put gladness in my heart
more than when their grain and wine abound.
8I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
If you look at the way this Psalm is bracketed, it is a helpful tool for prayer. The first verse is made up of words to God. Verses 2-5 are directed to the people. Verses 6-8 conclude directed towards God. Think about this for a second.
In our prayer life, how many times do we ask God to intercede for others? Or pray for others? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us that in all things, we are to give thanks to God, for it is God's will. How much easier to do that when the first thing and the last thing we do is give thanks to God.
As the Psalmist prays, notice how it starts with a supplication, "Answer me when I call..." Yet he remembers why he is asking God: "You gave me room when I was in distress." At what point do you find yourself in distress? How many times has God answered your call before? It may have taken a long time, but chances are that God answered and gave you room when you were in distress. Will God not answer once again?
As the Psalm closes, the Psalmist states this fact: "I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." If you are reading this during the day, pray this Psalm now. But as a challenge, take your Bible, and say this prayer before you lie down this evening. For it is the Lord who makes us lie down in safety.
Pray Psalm 4 (and then pray it at night).
G. Thomas Martin
