Praying through the Psalms, Psalm 4, and Evening Prayer

Psalm 4 – Answer Me When I Call – See Below

Once again, David calls out to the LORD in his distress. While the exact date of Psalm 4's composition is unknown, it makes sense that it follows Psalm 3. It, too, can be a response to his son Absalom’s betrayal and his supporters. David speaks of men who were spreading lies about him and trying to bring shame to his name. Absalom was a great source of stress and trouble for David; he turned many of the people against David and usurped the throne.

Whether he was writing in response to this or not, we can understand how frustrating it is when the world around us believes lies instead of God’s truth. Satan earnestly seeks to destroy God’s people and tries to tempt us with many false gods, delusions, half-truths, and lies. When we are dealing with this type of attack, it can feel relentless at times, causing us to despair.

David starts the Psalm with a plea for help, calling on God for relief. He recalls God’s faithfulness in the past and trusts that, “the LORD hears when I call to Him” (verse 3). He trusts that God will always hear the righteous cries of His children. David reminds us that we always have hope in God, and, like David, we should always strive to live lives that are faithful and devoted to God. Sometimes, from our limited perspective, we may think God isn’t hearing or answering us, but we need to learn to rely on and trust in God's promises and the salvation we have in Christ Jesus. We, too, can be confident that God loves us and has set us apart to be His children (verse 3). His answers may not be what we expect, but we must look at our problems with a view to eternal life; not overshadowing our view of God with them.

David reproaches his enemies in verse 2, but he also admonishes his own companions who are doubting God. Anger at sin, in itself, is not wrong; however, David reminds us to consider our hearts. We must think carefully before we act, not responding in anger, but offering obedience and trust in God. The author of Ephesians quotes David when, in chapter 4, verse 26, it says, “Be angry and do not sin.” It takes the next part of Psalm 4:4, “Ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent,” and tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger, “and give no opportunity to the devil.” When others lie, we must speak the truth in love and trust God to deliver us from all evil. We must not let righteous anger lead us to sin, but remember that God is a just God, and He alone is Judge.

It is easy to become envious of the world when “their grain and wine abound” (verse 7). When it seems like those who are against us prosper, we, like David, may ask, “Who will show us some good?” (verse 6). But David doesn’t leave it with a question; he realizes a very important truth: “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (verse 7). God is the true source of all joy and peace. All the possessions in the world mean nothing in the face of eternity. We cannot take them with us when we die; would you rather have superficial and temporary pleasures in this life or an eternity in perfection with God? You may find temporary peace in the comforts of this world, but, ultimately, true peace can only be found in God. We must trust and confess that it is God who brings us peace and comfort in the face of our enemies.

While Psalm 3 is considered a morning prayer, Psalm 4 is an evening prayer. When we trust in God and seek our comfort, peace and help in Him, then we too can say, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (verse 8). David slept in peace because he knew and trusted that God would sustain him and hold him in His loving care.

God doesn’t ask us to deny reality. There are times in life when evil seems to abound, and sinners seem to prosper. We must exercise true faith, remembering that God’s plan is for our good. Faith is believing this truth even when you can’t understand why things are happening in your life. God wants us to come to Him with our troubles and problems, but when we cry out to Him, we must always remember that He is worthy of all honor and praise. It isn’t wrong to desire happiness or seek help, but we must remember to turn to the only true source of joy and protection. End your day in praise, faith, and trust in God, and you will lie down and sleep in peace.

 

An evening prayer:

Almighty God, gracious Father and source of all comfort and peace, I come before You in praise and adoration, for You alone are just and right. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit, that I may always trust in You for mercy, peace and joy. I know that You have set me apart to be Your child, and I pray that, by Your Spirit, I may recognize sin for what it is and not fall into the temptation to lash out in anger when others have wronged me. Help me to do what is right and put my trust in Your omnipotent and righteous power. May You turn Your face towards me and fill me with the joy and peace that only You can give. Calm my mind and help me to sleep in peace, trusting in You for all things. When and where I fall short of Your will, please forgive me. Not because I am worthy, but through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Psalm 4

Answer Me When I Call

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

 ¹ Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

² O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
⁵ Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
⁷ You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

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