Psalm 4

Book
Psalms
Chapter
4
Start Verse
1

I say to God

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

God replies:

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
[some of our distress is brought about by our own delusions about what is good]

I say to myself

3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

[seeking the LORD and loving delusions really are different,
when doing the first we connect with the LORD, when we do the second we don’t
this is quite scary, because we know how easily we drift away from the LORD
however, if we are scared and start to tremble ….]

The LORD says to us

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.

I say to the LORD

6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
[our answer is that the LORD brings us prosperity,
and this will happen when we turn to the LORD who is the light of the world ..]
    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.