O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes; you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer.
2 The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?”
3 Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. 4 Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. 5 Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices.
6 Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong, O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. 7 Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. 8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe. Psalm 4 Living Bible (TLB)
From childhood I’ve been fearful. Some fears were silly (sliding through the cracks in a Chicago drawbridge), some were impossible (the Washington Monument crumbling due to noisy feet), some were dreadful (“Most people die in bed,” said my father, cuing terror. “That’s because they are sick in bed,” responded my mother, cuing confusion. Wasn’t I sometimes sick? And, “if I should die before I wake . . .”? Really? Not helpful.)
This psalm speaks to my fears. It says that God mercifully cares for me when trouble comes. He chose me, hears me, answers me. He is light and joy in spite of circumstances (clearly not things that could ever come from within me). I can trust Him.
The key to my confidence lies, however, in verses 4 and 8. It is when I’m quiet (v 4) that I remember Who He is, and Whose I am. And verse 8 is memorized and on my bedroom wall:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (NIV)
End of story. All is well: I am safe. I can sleep now.
God takes care of his own, even while they sleep.
Psalm 127:1-3b Contemporary English Version (CEV)