Beloved of the Lord - Sleep in Peace

Psalm 4

 ¹ Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

         You have relieved me in my distress;

         Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

 ² How long, O you sons of men,

         Will you turn my glory to shame?

         How long will you love worthlessness

         And seek falsehood?  Selah

 ³ But know that the LORD has set apart^[a] for Himself him who is godly;

         The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

 ⁴ Be angry, and do not sin.

         Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.  Selah

 ⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

         And put your trust in the LORD.

 ⁶ There are many who say,

         “Who will show us any good?”

         LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

 ⁷ You have put gladness in my heart,

         More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

 ⁸ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

         For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.--Psalm 4:8

This is the final installment of Psalm 4.  I was so blessed in the meditation and memorization of it.

Lying down in peace and sleeping was quite a feat for someone going through all that David was going through. It is also quite an accomplishment today.  If we are thinking human beings, there is truly much to be concerned about...much to keep us awake at night fretting.  When we know, however, that our peace, safety and sufficiency comes from our sovereign God we can relax.  Psalm 94:19 says "In the multitude of my anxieties within, your comforts delight my soul."  Another one I love is from Psalm 138.  "The Lord will perfect all that concerns me." Or Psalm 57:2 "I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me." 

Reassured, the psalmist's turmoil subsides. He can now lie down in peace and sleep, knowing that it is the LORD who makes him dwell in safety.  I looked up the word safety in the Strong's.  Here is what it gives the idea of: a place of refuge...the fact and the feeling of security and trust...someone who can have assurance and be without care...wow!!  That is quite a change in attitude from the 1st verse.

Memorize this Psalm, girls,  Recite it when you can't sleep or wake up in the early morning hours with your mind racing with concerns.  It has been spoken of as God's tranquilizer. I am so glad I am the Lord's beloved...truly the antidote for anxiety and a lack of peace is the Lord and His Word.  Jehovah...the Becoming One...He Becomes whatever we need...so glad He is mine.

Deuteronomy 33:12 "“The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long;  And he shall dwell between His shoulders.”

Love
Mom

Philippians 4:6-8 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


Psalm 3:5 I lay down and slept;  I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.