Psalm 4
Psalm 4 Meaning
Psalm 4 is an evening prayer. David asks God to hear him, answers the crowd who ask 'who will show us any good,' and finds his gladness not in a good harvest but in the light of God's face.
It closes with one of the most restful verses in Scripture: he will lie down and sleep in peace, because the LORD alone makes him dwell in safety. Contentment here is a settled trust, not a change in circumstances.
Key verses from Psalm 4
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
Psalm 4:1
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”
Psalm 4:4
“There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
Psalm 4:6
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
How Psalm 4 points to Jesus
Jesus is the light of God's countenance lifted upon us, and the peace He gives is not as the world gives. In Him the weary can lie down and sleep, held safe by the One who never slumbers.