Psalms 3 and 4 have often been described as a pair of morning and evening psalms.
Morning
In Psalm 3, we see David’s confidence in the morning.
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.
Psalms 3:5-6
Evening
And in Psalm 4, we see David’s confidence in the evening.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
David wrote Psalms 3 and 4 when he was running away from Absalom, who had usurped the throne and was going after his life. In the years leading up to the rebellion, King David had already experienced way more dangers, emotional upheavals, fears and anxieties than any one of us can even imagine. But this episode with Absalom might prove to be his worst trial up to that point in time. He had already lost his kingdom and he faced a very real danger of being killed by Absalom. On top of that, he had to suffer emotional torment because Absalom was not just an enemy. To Absalom, David was probably just a king he wanted to get rid of, but to David, Absalom was a son whom he loved dearly despite all the bad things that Absalom had done. It was a terrible time for David.
He was maligned and misunderstood.
He was distressed and desperate.
He was helpless and heartbroken.
He was afraid and angry.
Yet, because of his close walk with God, he had the confidence and assurance that God would keep him safe, and he could sleep in peace. Being able to sleep securely is a strong symbol of his confidence. People who struggle with insecurity, fear, anxiety and worry find it hard to sleep properly. There is the constant fear that something bad might happen anytime.
For David who was literally running from somebody who was after his life, the risk of dying was not imaginary. It would have been perfectly normal for him to not be able to sleep, but even with this risk, David was able to sleep securely because he knew he had God as his shield and his sustainer. More profoundly, David’s heart was filled with exceeding joy, even during such a time of crisis.
In a warm shelter, we can sleep soundly in the rain because we know the shelter can and will protect us from the elements.
In our mother’s arms, we can sleep safely because we know that if anything happens, she can and will take care of us.
In God’s care, we can sleep securely because we know that God is in charge and in control.
In many cases, our worries and anxieties come from our unwillingness to accept anything than the outcome we desire. Perhaps we don’t believe that God has a different and better plan, and perhaps we cannot imagine how a misfortune can be blessing in disguise, but we should remember that if something negative happens, He allowed it. We may not know why, but we can hold on to His word that tells us
that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
When we trust God, we don’t only want to trust His ability and His willingness to help us. We need to trust His person. We trust His character and His wisdom. He knows what’s best for us. He may not give us exactly what we ask for, but everything that happens will be for our ultimate good.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you believe that God is all-powerful?
- Do you believe that God loves you and wants the best for you?
- Can we trust that God can and will take care of us?
- Are we anxious and worried because we’re only after a certain outcome, and we’re not sure if God will grant us that outcome?
- Do we just want what we want, or will we accept what God wants to give us?
- Can we accept the outcome, even if it’s not what we asked for?
Verses For Reading and Meditation
- Psalm 3
- Psalm 4
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Romans 8:18-39
We wish you a peaceful sleep!
Psalm 3
Deliver Me, O LORD!
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
1 O LORD, how my foes have increased!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many say of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
Selah
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear the myriads
set against me on every side.
7 Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
may Your blessing be on Your people.
Selah
Psalm 4
Answer Me When I Call!
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call,
O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved my distress;
show me grace and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will my honor be maligned?
How long will you love vanity and seek after lies ?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, yet do not sin;
on your bed, search your heart and be still.
Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?”
Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with more joy
than when grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
1 Peter 5:7
7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Romans 8:18-39
Future Glory
(2 Corinthians 5:1–10)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
God Works in All Things
(Ephesians 1:3–14)
28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
More than Conquerors
(Psalm 44:1–26)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.