1.0 The Statement

As we have already mentioned in the Preface to Psalm 3, Psalm 4 was written when David was fleeing from his son, Absalom. David crossed the Jordan after being warned by Hushai, his Counsellor and Friend, not to stay in the Wilderness of Judea. Hushai remained with Absalom to confound and confuse the Counsel of Ahithophel, who had sided with Absalom (2Samuel 17:16).

Psalm 4 is called an “Evening Psalm of Trust” – From Psalm 4:4b, 8, we may surmise that David’s Prayer was written at the end of the day:  Psalm 4:4b, 8 “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still…..I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.” Thus, as Psalm 3 is a devotional for the morning hour, Psalm 4 serves the same function for the evening hour.

Traditionally, Commentators have connected Psalm 4 with Absalom’s Revolt, also the background of Psalm 3. The Godly Person in distress may quietly repose (relax) in the arms of God. The historical occasion for this Psalm is probably the same as Psalm 3. However, here David’s Lament becomes the Song of Trust to express David’s Relief:

1. God gives Righteousness – Psalm 4:1a “Hear me when I call, O God or my righteousness!”
2. God is Gracious and Merciful – Psalm 4:1b “You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me and hear my Prayer.”
3. God Relieves Distress – Psalm 4:1b “You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me and hear my Prayer.”
4. God Sets Apart the Godly – Psalm 4:3a “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;…”
5. God Hears Prayer – Psalm 4:3b “The LORD will hear when I call to Him.”
6. God is Trustworthy – Psalm 4:5b “Put your trust in the LORD.”
7. God Puts Gladness in David’s Heart – Psalm 4:7 “You have put gladness in my heart more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.”
8. God Gives Peace – Psalm 4:8a “I will both lie down in Peace and sleep;….”
9. God Provides Safety – Psalm 4:8b “For your along, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

David’s Serenity of Tone throughout is the result of his experiences of God’s Help in the Past. Even as God gave rest in his (David’s) previous experiences recorded in Psalm 3:5 “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” There is Assurance that He (God) will provide that same Peaceful Rest again. David continued experiencing God’s Help and he (David) admonishes his Enemies that it is useless to attack God’s Servant. The Title of Psalm 4 indicates that it was incorporated into Israel’s Public Worship at an early date. Two additional technical terms are found in the Title of Psalm 4. The Choirmaster or Chief Musician occurs first and then the Name of the Instrument or the Melody, Neginoth (stringed instrument), follows. But Ancient Versions suggest Vocalisation “Nehaloth” = Inheritances. It seems therefore better to read here “Concerning Inheritances.” This suits the Tenor of Psalm 4, which emphasises God our Portion. Two Inheritances are spoken of:

• First, the LORD in His People – “For the LORD’s Portion is His People; Jacob is the Lot of His Inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).
• Second, Israel’s Inheritance in the LORD – “The LORD is the Portion of Mine Inheritance and of the cup; thou maintain my lot” (Psalm 16:5).

Spiritual Inheritances are more precious than temporal ones (Hebrews 10:34 R.V). Psalm 4 is also the Davidic Psalm, as the last two words of the Title indicate.

1.1 David Seeks God (Psalms 4:1)

– From Psalm 4:1, David calls upon God to hear him, to the final Psalm 4:8 in which he (David) expresses his profound confidence in his Security in God, we feel the living relationship between God and His Servant, David, is very profound. In the middle Section (Psalm 4:2-6) are Admonitions to People. This is very dynamic at times create abrupt transitions, and changes in subject matter or mood. But this is not an artificial literary composition; rather it is personal communication in prayer. Psalm 4 begins and ends with addresses to God – Psalm 4:1a, 8b “Hear me when I call, O God….O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”  The Movement of David’s Thought in Psalm 4 is from Confidence that God Hears and Answers (Psalm 4:1-3), to Calling to Trust God (Psalm 4:4-5), a Confession of Faith in God (Psalm 4:6-8), and Gladness in His (God’s Presence that allows us to sleep in safety.

1.1.1 David’s Call

Psalm 4:1 “Hear (answer) me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my Prayer.” – Psalm 1:1 is an introduction with three Imperative Verbs: “(a) Answer {hear}, (b) have Mercy, (c) And Hear.” David’s appeal to God for deliverance from his Enemies is based on three Facts:

• First, David’s relationship and fellowship with God – “Hear (Answer) me when I call, O God of my righteousness.” (Psalm 1:1a).
• Second, David declares God’s Changelessly Holy Character – As literally – “My Righteous God” (Psalm 4:1b).
• Third, David declares his experience – “You have enlarged me when I was in distress.” (Psalm 4:1c). God will deliver David from his distress because God Character is Unchangeable.

1.1.2 David’s Appeal (Psalms 4:1a)

Psalm 4:1a “Hear (answer) me when I call, O God of my righteousness.”  – The emphasis by repetition in Psalm 4:1 is on God’s Hearing Prayer. Whatever the cause of the distress as indicated in Psalm 4:1, the answer lies in God’s Word and in bold believing Prayer.

• “Hear (Answer) me when I Call” (Psalm 4:1a).
• “Have Mercy (be Gracious) on me and hear my Prayer” (Psalm 4:1b).

When David begins in Psalm 4:1a with the Call upon God to hear him, he also at the same time, identifies the Person to whom he calls: “O God of my righteousness.” David acknowledges that “the righteousness” he possessed, come from God. Furthermore, included in the phrase: “O God of my righteousness,” is that God has proven Himself to be righteous and capable of deliverance. David’s past experiences led him to believe that God will again meet his (David’s) desperate needs. The term “righteousness” (sedeq) in the Old Testament is rich in meaning:

• God is Righteous because of He is Consistent and Absolute Action.
• God is His Own Standard of Righteousness, and there is no greater measure.
• Righteousness implies relationship: God is Righteous in that He keeps His Covenant with His People, upholding His Moral Law, and fulfils His Promises. Thus, as “Righteous,” God is both our just Judge and our Saviour.
• The God who sees that I and my cause are Righteous and who will certainly lend me help.

David addresses God as “his Righteousness” In a word, God is Righteousness and He has given His Righteousness to David:

• It is God who has made His Covenant with David – the Davidic Covenant (2Samuel; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 89; Psalm 132).
• It is God who has established David’s Kingdom (1Samuel 16:13; 2Samuel 5:3-5; 1Chronicles 11:3; 2Samuel 7).
• It is God who Promised him a Throne Forever (2Samuel 7:15-16).
• It also Points to the Final Gift of Righteousness given in Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 5:21).  

It is Christ who is Righteous because He has fulfilled the Law in perfect obedience to the Father (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:3-4). It is Christ who dies on the cross, not for His own sins (for He had none – 2Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22; 1John 3:5; John 14:30 {Amp}), but for our sins (2Corinthians 5:21).

When we received the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Saviour we receive also His (Christ’s) Righteousness. Paul writes in 2Corinthians 5:21“For He (God) made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” God hears us, as he hears David, when we call because we are clothed in Christ’s Righteousness, thus, we declared indeed, the God is the “God of my Righteousness.” (Psalm 4:1a).

1.1.3 David’s Experience (Psalms 4:1b)

“You have enlarged (delivered, NKJV) me when I was in distress.” David’s past experiences led him to believe that God will deliver him from his present situation. David’s Prayer draws strength from his Past. David calls on God in his distress, and it was at this time of anguish that God enlarged him.  This speaks of a spiritual enlarging by which we receive a deeper appreciation of God’s Ways and Dealings when we pass through suffering and are troubled by our Enemies.

The Enlargement also means “To make Room for me – set me at Ease.” The enlargement is during the time of his {David’s} distress – The root meaning of “distress” here is “to be bound, tied up, restricted,” much like an Army besieged on all sides by the Enemies. Since God has given relief to David, before; David can expect relief again. David’s Memory serves a twofold Function:

• First, David reminds God of His {God’s} Past Deliverance and His {God’s} Future Action.
• Second, David builds his own Faith, in God, to expect help from Him {God} again.

Here we see that Power in Prayercomes in part from our experience in God. Satan tries to discourage us by making us forget our past experiences. As we seek God for help, we need to remember our experiences with God and of His {God’s} Mighty Works. Experiences are not Presumption.

1.1.4 God’s Mercy (Psalm 4:1c)

“Have mercy on me and hear my Prayer.” – Once again, David throws himself before God. Psalm 4:1, is David’s cry, repeated in hundreds of varied forms throughout these Psalms (cf Psalm 5:2; Psalm 6:2; Psalm 9:13; Psalm 27:7; Psalm 30:10, etc). David standing upon God’s Righteousness produces such hope that he {David} presses on to know and experience God’s Mercy and David’s Expectation of Restoration. There is no limit to God’s Restoring Power. 

1.2 David’s Chargem (Psalms 4:2)

“How long, O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek after falsehood (leasing)? Selah.” The first words directed to David’s Human Audience are Words of Appeal to People’s Goodwill and Good sense. The three Phrases are clipped and abrupt:

• The “Sons of Men” turn David’s Glory into Shame (Psalm 4:2a)
• The “Sons of Men” Love Vanity (Worthlessness – Psalm 4:2b).
• The “Sons of Men” seek Lies (Seek after Falsehood (Leasing – Psalm 4:2c).”

1.2.1 The Charge (Psalms 4:2a)

“O you sons of men, how long will you turn my Glory {Character & Honour} into shame?” The “sons of men” is not a mere periphrasis (indirectness) for “men.” It is a title of some honour and dignity.The title is equivalent to our “sirs.”

• David’s Enemies {Absalom & Company} attempt to injure David’s Personal and Kingly Honour (his Glory) by false and evil reports, to promote David’s overthrow and downfall.
• David’s Character and Office (Kingship) are the two most precious things that David’s Enemies attacked.

Most Commentators take Psalm 4:2 as the substance of David’s Complaint. But this is not the case, while David waits in Prayer before God (Psalm 4:1); he {David} makes the Meditative Appeal to his Opponents (Absalom, Joab, Abishai, and others of David’s Own Party), charging them with dishonouring the Royal Dignity of Kingship he (David) has received from God (1Samuel 16:13; 2Samuel 5:3-5; 1Chronicles 11:3), and recalling the misrepresentations of the facts which had led them to join Absalom’s led Rebellion (2Samuel 15:1-6). Absalom and Company have loved vain schemes and thrived on falsehood (Psalm 4:2b) – Joab’s treachery and falsehood were notorious (2Samuel 3:27 – the Killing of Abner; 2Samuel 20:8-10 – the killing Amasa).  The Context is reference to his son, Absalom’s Revolt, especially since the term “sons of men” is technical, referring to the Leaders of God’s People.

Also, note that these men were Great in the Sight (highly respected – Absalom, Joab, etc) of the Nation of Israel. It is a terrible thing when our Enemies are highly respected, for they have credence in the eyes of others who do not know the whole situation. Such was the case with Absalom’s uprising against King David.

1.2.2 The Question (Psalms 4:2b)

“How long…….will you turn my glory to shame?/How long will you love worthlessness (shame) and seek falsehood?” Many Notable People followed Absalom because they were superficial in their relationship with God and were therefore void of God’s Wisdom. Because they lacked spiritual discernment, they sided with the wrong People {Absalom and Company}, and many of them died in consequence of their wrong judgement. Here we can see the importance of having discernment and siding with the Godly. –  Shame (Psalm 4:2b) – The “shame,” the Hebrew word may also mean “worthlessness,” and “falsehood;” would refer to their attack upon David which is at the same time an attack on God who made him {David} King (1Samuel 16:13; 2Samuel 5:3-5; 1Chronicles 11:3).

1.3 David’s Confidence (Psalms 4:3)

Psalm 4:3 “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is Godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”  David’s Assurance – “But know that the LORD has set apart him who is godly for Himself.” (Psalm 4:3a). David wishes that we might know that God Sovereignty sets apart the Godly for Himself. It is interesting that coupled with that truth is the one regarding our ability to call on Him. So, on the one hand God calls, or set apart, the godly and on the other hand He hears those who call on Him. In the one instance God initiates the action, and in the other man does. In Psalm 4:1-3, then, David addresses God in Confidence:

• God’s Righteousness is David’s Righteousness (Psalm 4:1).
• God is David’s Justification (Psalm 4:1).   
• God has delivered David and will continue to deliver him (Psalm 4:1).
• God has set David apart (Psalm 4:3).

Nothing can keep David from boldly coming to God. In coming to God’s Character and holding God to His own Character and Calling upon the God who delivered him from danger in the past (Psalm 4:1). This is the basis of David’s Assurance: “The LORD will hear when I call unto Him.” Although David was disgraced, by others (Psalm 4:2), yet still David is God’s Servant, set apart to God’s Service, and therefore he (David) shall be heard by Him (God – Psalm 4:1). He will hearken to and grant David’s prayer:

• Prayer is the Natural Language of Faith.
• Prayer is an Expression and Exercise of our Personal Relation to God (Psalm 119:73, 94).    

1.4 David Warns (Psalms 4:3)

“But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.” – David reinforces his appeal by a warning reminder of his special place in God’s Providential ordering of affairs. David’s Opponents do not know that despite his failures, David was a man who sought to please God and was set apart by God for His {God’s} good pleasure (Psalm 4:3). David does not refer to his position as the LORD’sAnointed but simply to his Godly Character. Being innocent of their charges, he confidently trusts God to intervene for him (Psalm 66:18).

1.5 Stand In Awe (Psalms 4:4)

Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. Selah – David’s Confidence in God now leads to a Series of Exhortations:

First, Stand in Awe and Sin Not – Be angry and do not sin, seems strange until we remember that Anger unexpressed yields many a restless night. On the Psychological Level, we release our anger to God, which prepares us for Restful Sleep. The Exhortation Indicates:

Second, the Concern shown by David is to his own men, who are warned against excessive Anger and its natural result. This rendering is preferred by Dr. Kay, Heng Stenberg and others. This is parallel to Paul’s Teaching in Ephesians 4:26a “Be ye angry, and sin not.”

Third, David’s Rebuke – This could also be taken as David’s rebuke again those Nobles who had revolted against him. David tells them to stand in awe of what God is doing because God allowed Absalom to revolt against David, for His (God’s) Purposes. Therefore, he (David) urges them not to run with the Wicked, for God will shortly destroy them. Think it out prayerfully upon your bed at night, tremble, and sin not. In quietness David’s Opponents should meditate on their needs and sin not. They should speak to their own conscience and be silent.

Fourth – Meditate – “Commune with your own heart upon your bed” – When our Anger is expressed and released, we are ready for the Next Imperative “Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still.” As we turn from all the injustice and rebellion done to us, our hearts are open to God, His Truth (God’s Logos Word), His (God’s) Word and His Will.  The phrase “meditate within your heart” employs a Hebrew verb (amar) which means “to consider, to reflect.” We are to think carefully in our hearts to reach clear conviction. The verb is parallel to “meditate” (hagah) in Psalm 1:1. As we reflect, our minds actively consider the day now behind us, our Plans for the Future, our Problems, our needs, and God’s Word in relation to all of this.

Fifth, Paul’s Injunction: “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26b). Anger cools is a little time be suffered to pass – if a night be allowed for reflection, and no action be taken till the morrow.  As ever, human anger trembles on the brink of sin (Ephesians 4:26; James 1:20) and before continuing in their opposition they would do well to listen to the voice of conscience speaking in their hearts.

Sixth, “Be still” – David continues “And be still.” After our minds have been active in meditation, we must stop and be silent. In the silence, God speaks to us. When, after a time of reflection, I am silent before God, I find I am receptive to what God wants to say to me. I receive a phrase from Scripture, directive, or an impression from God. Too often our Prayer is one way. We tell God what we want, we think over our problems, and then we complain that God does not speak to us. Anthony Campolo says it is as if we called Someone on the phone, talked a blue streak, and then hung up complaining of their silence, before they ever had a chance to say anything in return. As we are “still” before God, insight, direction, and healing will be ours.

Seventh, Selah = Selah means “Pause before going on.” The Second Strophe being ended, another “Pause” is to take place, during which David’s exhortation may be made the subject of consideration. The word “Selah” seems appropriate here in view of the words “be still” which precede.

1.6 Contrite Heart (Psalms 4:5)

“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the LORD.” – The Hebrew verb used here for “offer” is the basic word for ritual sacrifice. In its noun form it means animal sacrifice. The literal execution of this command for “righteous sacrifice” would be to offer the proper slaughtered animal. Since this would be impossible while lying upon his bed, however, David is probably referring to the “Sacrifice of Joy” before God (Psalm 27:6; Hebrews 13:15-16).

After the “Sacrifice of Praise and Thank-giving” we are ready to find our Trust in Him (God) as the final exhortation: “And put your trust in the LORD” (Psalm 4:5b) or literally, “Upon” the LORD, is fulfilled. This is not merely an intellectual act; it is throwing ourselves upon God – all that we are, much as John learned upon Jesus’ breast (John 13:23).  

The logical parallel is that of Trust in God to whom they offer these Sacrifices: “Right sacrifices,” – David now instructs those who have hearkened to his impassioned plea to offer the Sacrifices of Righteousness, which flow from a broken and contrite heart (Isaiah 66:2b; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17). Therefore, it is appropriate that Sacrifice must be accompanied with Trust, in Him (God).  When the heart is right relationship with God, He (God) will show whose side He is on and whom He favours.

This is also an indicative of the heart desirous of being at Peace with God, offer the Way of Restoration, and in calling his opponents to take this course David summons them from their baseless reliance on Absalom to “Trust in the LORD.”

1.7 God’s Backing (Psalms 4:6)

“There are many that say, who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us.” – Pessimists are numerous in all Ages.  Even among David’s own Followers there were those who were questioning whether God would bless them. They were beginning to doubt David because of all the adversities he was facing. Many who doubted and desponded, anticipating nothing but continued suffering and hardship. What turmoil David had all around him!

But David recalls that in contrast to the many Opponents of Psalm 3:1 there are many looking to God alone for alleviation, and resting as they do this on God’s Unchanged Character as shown in the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:26 “The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee Peace.”

Yet, in the midst of all this, David’s Greatness shines even brighter. David is wholeheartedly confiding in God, and his relationship with God attained new heights in this trial. When there was no one to encourage him, he turned to God and found his comfort in Him (1Samuel 30:6).

1.8 Gladness (Psalms 4:7)

“You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season (time) that their grain and the wine increased.” – Many Individuals are discontented and pessimistic, lacking the gladness which David knew.

David is an example to the desponding Followers. Notwithstanding his sufferings and calamities, God has looked on him, and so “put gladness in his heart.” God is always the Initiator and Provider.

C.S Lewis points out; we will never know joy by seeking it. Joy and gladness come as a side-effect of God’s Presence – Acts 3:19b “So that the Times {Kairos} of Refreshing may come from the Presence of the Lord.” –  When Lewis became a Christian, he was in his words “surprised by joy.”

God’s Joy of His Presence, David continues, is more than that of the Harvest when “Grain and Wine increased.” It is more because we are:

• Experiencing the Creator {God}rather than the Creation.
• Experience with the Person rather than with things.
• Eternal Presence rather than the Passing Material Gain.

David knows that God’s help in a time of need causes more gladness than bumper crops – Psalm 4:7 “You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season (time) that their grain and the wine increased.” David confesses joyfully that in his own desperate plight he experiences an inward sense of Divine Grace, which far surpassed the material blessings of food brought by the aged Barzillai (2Samuel 17:27-30):

• David Source of Joy is God Himself (Nehemiah 8:10b). How often do David luxuriates (enjoy) in telling what God was to him – Rock, Shield, Sun, High Tower, Fortress, Refuge, Strength, Salvation, and his Exceeding Joy.
• One excellent feature of God’s Joy is the sense of security it brings with it in the most perilous surrounding.

The Quality and Degree of God’s Joy – Psalm 4:7b“More than in the time that their grain and the wine increased” 

• God’s Gladness imparted is of a Far Higher Quality.
• God’s Gladness is a Gladness of Greater Zest.
• God’s Gladness is a Gladness remarkable for its Persistency.
• The Believer’s Joy in God Surpasses the Joy that the World gives.
• God’s Joy never palls upon the taste “The world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the Will of God abides forever.”

It is the experience of true forgiveness for his sins that sustained David through all these adversities and conflicts. Those who experience true Repentance will also know the Renewal of the Joy of God’s Deliverance as David does. The joy David experiences in the Deliverance from his Enemies is far greater than the Joy of the farmer when he reaps a good harvest. It was this Joy and Gladness that sustained David during the time of his Flight from Absalom.

1.9 Peaceful Sleep (Psalms 4:8)

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety.” – It is God’s Gladness imparted that have invaded David’s heart. The consequence of God’s Presence is sleep and serenity. David concludes: “I will both lie down in Peace, and Sleep.” The stress is “on Peace” (Shalom). Literally, he writes: “In Peace – together I will lie down and sleep.”  Out of God’s Assurance that He (God) hears David’s Prayer (Psalm 4:1); and out of the Worship and devotion of his (David’s) Heart, now God’s Peace and Wholeness are David’s as he surrenders to sleep, a sleep that comes from the Security of Yahweh: “For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” It is only God who guards him (David), through the night and fill him with His Presence. This assurance: “Dwell (lie down) in Safety” (Psalm 4:8), is found repeatedly in the Old Testament (Isaiah 14:30; Hosea 2:18; Deuteronomy 12:10; Jeremiah 23:6). This Security in the Lord Jesus is the basis of our Confidence.

1.10 Psalms 4 Closes

with the picture of Peaceful Sleep possible to the Person who knows God’s care by Personal Experiences. David’s Confidence in God enables him to lay himself down calmly and tranquilly to sleep, whatever dangers threaten him. Even in his moment of anxiety, he is able to have toss-free Sleep. David has the Satisfaction and Assurance in thinking that it is God only who watches over him. All other help would be vain, superfluous:

• God alone brought Israel through the Wilderness (Deuteronomy 32:12).
• God alone established Israel in Canaan (Psalm 44:2-3).

David feels that he needs no other Helper and Protector. God alone gives David Protection and that makes him to dwell in safety even when he was alone. Because of this Joy and Gladness, David said as he fled across Jordan that he would experience the blessed sleep of God, for as Psalm 127:2 says, God “Grants sleep to those He loves” (NIV).

Peace (Shalom) is the Word loaded with meaning. Our English Word does not do justice to that word “Peace” (Shalom). Included in the Peace are the ideas of:

• Economic and Physical Satisfaction.
• Of Health.
• Of Peace with God and men.

All this was possible in David’s day, and is also possible in ours, because God makes us dwell in safety.

Example: On the night preceding the execution of Nicholas Ridley (AD1500 – 1555), Bishop of London, his brother offered to pass his last hours in his company, but the bishop refused, saying that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quickly as he ever did in his life – “I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest, For it is Thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety.”  The Next Morning, he was chained to the stake in the town ditch, opposite the south front of Billiol College, Oxford, As the flames rose round him he exclaimed with a wonderful loud voice: “In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum. Domine, recipe spiritum meum. “And then in English: “Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.”Application-Psalm 4 is the Rewarding Exercise for the Evening. By following Psalm 4’s Guidelines and Directive for devotion, it becomes the Perfect Prescription for Peace and good night sleep. Out of the heart of trust in the LORD will result in the Serenity and Joy of His (God’s) Effective Presence. “The LORD will hear when I call. …put your trust in the LORD for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

Application-Psalm 4 is the Rewarding Exercise for the Evening. By following Psalm 4’s Guidelines and Directive for devotion, it becomes the Perfect Prescription for Peace and good night sleep. Out of the heart of trust in the LORD will result in the Serenity and Joy of His (God’s) Effective Presence. “The LORD will hear when I call. …put your trust in the LORD for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

• Psalms