Among liturgical Christians who pray the “offices,” the prayer before retiring for the night is called “Compline.” Psalm 4 is prayed during this very personal quiet time before sleep. You may not pray the “hours” but this one surely is appropriate at night–or for anytime when darkness enters the soul!
Read Psalm 4:1-8
David wrote this psalm as he was about to retire for the night (Ps. 4:8),
and it follows another psalm associated with the rest of sleep. He could not
do much about the war around him, but he could do something about the war
within him. He did not want to lie in bed and worry, so he committed himself
and his situation to the Lord. That is easily said, but to those who lie awake at
night because of anxiety, real relief requires real answers. Here they are.
He requested help (vv. 1–3). Asking the Lord for help seems so simplistic, but it is the simple solution that we often forget or ignore. Asking has always been the best way to deal with inner turmoil (Phil. 4:6–7, read it!). “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). Remember that Acronym: A S K.
He rested his heart (vv. 4–5). He faced his anger honestly and turned it over to the Lord (Eph. 4:26). Instead of lying in bed and thinking about your problems, meditate on the Lord and offer Him sacrifices of praise. Have you ever tried to worry when you were praising? It can’t be done!
He received hope (vv. 6–8).In the darkness, he saw the face of God and received light. “In your light do we see light” (Ps. 36:9). In his sorrow, he discovered the gift of gladness. In the time of battle, he received peace.
It is important to realize that God did not immediately change David’s situation. Absalom continued to rebel and pursue his father into the very wilderness where David was trying to sleep out in the open air. He did not immediately change David’s circumstances, but He did change David! This psalm makes that abundantly clear. He can do the same for you. While circumstances are always different, if you follow the Son of David, his God is the same then and now.
Psalm 4:8 is prayed every evening in the Compline Prayer. Pray it with me now and also tonight!
“Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy, defend us from all perils of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.” AMEN. (Book of Common Prayer).
*From Awake O Harp, to be published in February.*