Anyone who faces or has undergone a great loss knows what it means to need, to count on someone, some thing, some source other than your own insufficient bits of sanity ~ in order to take the next step into another day. The author of Psalm 4 knows this well and clings to the one who was there in the depths of his earlier distress. Calling upon such grace once more he implores:

“You must answer!


Why do I love the Psalms so much? I think it because every time I encounter a Psalm it reflects with great depths, all the “stuff”  of my life. The writer never holds back emotion. When it came to the conversations, laments, praise, and sounds joy with their Lord, the writer lays it all out there. I find the words in Psalm 4 reflect a little stress. (Did that word even exist when these Hebrews words were written?)

To be ‘stressed’, a little anxious, is an emotion that many a 21st century member of society can relate. If not, would there be the flood of treatments, articles and treatments for such?

But, back to our poem/psalm… What I love is that the writer~ even as he names his restless anxiety ~ still knows, deep down, from whence his rest will come.

There is much more to say.

What do you think?

-Debbie

Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.

Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.

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