Psalm 4

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?

Interlude

3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.

4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Interlude

5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.

7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (NLT)

LEARNING TO “THINK ABOUT” our anger instead of acting on it right away is something that doesn’t necessarily come any easier with age and maturity. It isn’t simply a matter of learning to control one’s impulses. It is a matter of faith, of what you believe to be the ultimate truth about God and your relationship to him. The last verse of the psalm says it: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

Since David knew whom he belonged to, he didn’t have to act as his own agent. He belonged to God, and it was God’s business to take care of him. His enemies would have to answer to God, because when they attacked David they were really attacking the God who “set apart the godly for himself ” (verse 3). God is better than anyone else at doing the right thing! No more sleepless nights brooding over slander and plots. God would take care of him—and them.

To believe this is to be free to lie down and sleep in peace. To live this way is to live—and sleep!—like Jesus, who “did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”*

How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? (2)

Lies hurt. More than that, lies are usually impossible to correct. The more you protest your innocence, the guiltier you will probably look.

Prayer is better. Do what David did: Though his accusers were not actually there in his presence, he spoke to them in God’s presence. They would not hear or heed what he said, but God would.

Speak your frustration and anger to the God who hears and cares.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. (6)

Pray about those who doubt God’s faithfulness, just as you pray about your enemies. Think of them as professional joy busters. Tell God what they’re saying and ask him, “Please let your face smile on us, Lord.”

You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. (3)

There is a reason we suffer the attacks of the enemy: We belong to the Lord. This is exactly as Jesus said it would be, and should be, given the fallen world we live in: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”**

That’s why we suffer in the world. And it’s the same reason we should remain joyful in suffering and confident that God hears our prayers. We belong to him. We’re in the best company.

Pray thankfully for any ways you are treated unfairly!

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (8)

Just as the church has recommended praying Psalm 3 in the morning (see devotional on Psalm 3), so it has recommended praying this psalm in the evening, before going to sleep. The great saints also have seen sleep as a prefigurement of death—viewing letting go and falling asleep as preparation for a good death in the hope of the resurrection.

*1 Peter 2:23

**John 15:18