Psalm 4 (2023-2024B)

Answer me when I call, O Beloved of my heart!
You envelope me in Love when I was in dire distress.
Be gracious to me now; hear my prayer!
O friends, how long will my reputation suffer shame?
How long will you listen to false words?
I seek only what is life-giving.
You know that the Beloved dwells with all who are filled with love;
Love hears when our hearts cry out.
Though you may feel angry, do not give in to fear;
Commune with the Heart of your heart as you rest; be in silence.
Bask in the stillness.
Face your fears with forgiveness, and trust in Love.
There are many who say, “Grant us special favors, O Mighty One!
Bestow upon us your grace that we may prosper!”
Love has brought more joy to my heart than they have when their ranks are filled.
In peace will I spend my days and sleep at night;
For You alone, my Beloved, teach me the way of Love!
Nan Merrill Psalms for Praying

Psalm 4

Reflection:

Psalm 4 is an evening prayer. It is often prayed at Compline (the prayer service that is at the end of the day around 8 or 9pm) and has inspired other evening practices like St. Ignatius’ Daily Examen and possibly the bedtime prayer (now I lay me down to sleep). This association is due to verse 4 “When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” and verse 8 “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.”

Before verse 4, the psalmist is complaining about suffering and that people are believing lies. It reminds me of being a teenager and saying things like, ‘my life sucks and I have no friends’. And verse 4 is the gentle reminder not to hurt anyone else in return, but maybe get a snack, relax in your room, and take a nap. Give yourself some time apart from the problems and maybe it will seem better in the morning.

Verse 8 is the lesson learned from experience. The psalmist has rested and the situation has resolved not because the psalmist necessarily worked things out, but because the psalmist simply let go and trusted that God, God who is bigger than fear or sin, could bring inner peace.

Compline (inspired by psalm 4) is about letting go. It’s about releasing the tasks that are undone, the worry about the future and all of our fears. It’s about letting go and letting God handle it. It’s a practice that prepares us for our death – to reduce the anxiety around death – God has it in his hands so I don’t have to worry about it.

Speaking of death, the original children’s bedtime prayer went like this, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep; For if I die before I wake, I pray thee Lord my soul to take. Amen.” A quick google search will reveal that there are many different versions of this bedtime prayer, including Metallica’s 1991 hit song, ‘Enter Sandman’ that was one of my favorites as a moody teenager. Here is a section of those lyrics:

Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the Lord my soul to take

Hush little baby, don’t say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It’s just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head

Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We’re off to Never—, Neverland

So friends, never mind that noise you heard, it’s just the beast in your head. Though you are oppressed and angry, do not give in to fear and sin. Let go of those things that worry you knowing that God’s love will be with you all through the night.

---

Memories aren’t always accurate and I thought the original sounded version of now I lay me sounded familiar but I also remembered the line about angels. I asked mom and found out that she taught my brother and me to say “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep; Angels guard me through the night and wake me with the morning light”. She told me that’s how her mother taught her and that she remembered reading it in a book and sent me a picture of that prayer with a slightly different third line “Thy love go with me all the night”. She tells me that it was one of her siblings that added the red crayon; she can’t remember who, but is sure it wasn’t her.

Psalm reflections can be listened to on the Period Pastor Podcast series, Like One who Watches for the Morning.  In the podcast I read both the NRSVUE and Nan C. Merrill’s Psalms for Praying in addition to the reflection you see here. 

I began writing Psalm reflections during Lent of 2020 shortly after we decided to close the church building, work from home, and worship via zoom.  It is a practice I have continued since.  Many churches use the Revised Common Lectionary (RLC) that rotates scripture on a three-year cycle (A, B, and C).  Starting in Advent 2019, Third Church decided to worship with the texts from Year D, which is still not circulated as are years A, B, and C.  Year D was created with the goal of including scriptures that were left out or not used as frequently as others.  While we were using Psalms in year D, most other lectionary followers were using Year A.  In Advent of 2020 we rejoined those who use the lectionary in year B.  Advent of 2021 year C.  Advent of 2022 year A.  Advent of 2023 year B.

I use the Vanderbilt Divinity Library’s resource for lectionary readings to make text selections.

Year B Psalms

Advent – Transfiguration: 1^st Sunday in Advent Psalm 80, 2^nd Sunday in Advent Psalm 85, 3^rd Sunday in Advent Psalm 126, 4^th Sunday in Advent Psalm 89, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, 1^st Sunday after Christmas, Psalm 148, New Year’s Day Psalm 8, Epiphany Psalm 72, 1^st Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 29, 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 139, 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 62, 4^th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 111, 5^th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 147, Transfiguration Sunday (Sunday before Lent) Psalm 50

Lent: Ash Wednesday Psalm 51, 1^st Sunday in Lent Psalm 25, 2^nd Sunday in Lent Psalm 22, 3^rd Sunday in Lent Psalm 19, 4^th Sunday in Lent Psalm 107, 5^th Sunday in Lent Psalm 51 or Psalm 119:9-16, 6^th Sunday in Lent (Palm or Passion Sunday) Psalm 118 or 31

Holy Week: Monday Psalm 36, Tuesday Psalm 71, Wednesday Psalm 70, Maundy Thursday Psalm 116, Good Friday Psalm 22, Holy Saturday Psalm 31

Easter: Easter Psalm 118 or 114, 2^nd Sunday of Easter Psalm 133, 3^rd Sunday of Easter Psalm 4, 4^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 23, 5^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 22, 6^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 98, Ascension Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, 7^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 1, Day of Pentecost Psalm 104

Season After Pentecost (Ordinary Time): 1^st Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday) Psalm 29, 2^ndSunday after Pentecost Psalm 139 or Psalm 81, 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 138 or Psalm 130, 4^thSunday after Pentecost Psalm 20 or Psalm 92, 5^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 9 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107, 6^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 130 or Psalm 30, 7^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 48 or Psalm 123, 8^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 24 or Psalm 85, 9^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 89 or Psalm 23, 10^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 14 or Psalm 145, 11^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 51 or Psalm 78, 12^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 130 or Psalm 34, 13^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 111 or Psalm 34, 14^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 84 or Psalm 34, 15^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 45 or Psalm 15, 16^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 125 or Psalm 146, 17^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 19 or Psalm 116, 18^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 1 or Psalm 54, 19^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 124 or Psalm 19, 20^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 26 or Psalm 8, 21^st Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 22 or Psalm 90, 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 104 or Psalm 91, 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 34 or Psalm 126, 24^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 146 or 119, 25^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 127 or Psalm 146, 26^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 16, 27^th Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King) Psalm 132 or Psalm 93.

Sources and notes:

“Psalm 4 is an individual prayer for help. Its occasion is the trouble caused by falsehood. The honor of the one who prays has been damaged by a lie (v. 2). In spite of distress, the prayer’s dominant mood is confidence. In that confidence the prayer petitions God to hear and help (v. 1), rebukes those who cause humiliation (vv. 2-5), and declares trust in God (vv. 6-8). In the culture of ancient Israel, honor was of the greatest value; it is in most societies. Honor is the dignity and respect that belong to a person’s position in relation to family, friends, and community. It is an essential part of the identity that others recognize and regard in dealing with a man or a women. In Israel its loss had tragic consequences for self-esteem and social competence. Shaming and humiliating a person was violence against the worse than physical harm.” Mays p. 55

“Verse 8 has prompted believers through the ages to use Psalm 4 as an evening prayer or hymn.” Mays p. 56

Notes from the Psalm retreat in October of 2023: compline (evening prayer at the close of the day – sometimes 8 or 9pm) often uses psalm 4. Compare psalm 4 with the popular bedtime prayer, now I lay me down to sleep. This compline/psalm 4 is about letting go of all the knots in your life. It’s a practice for your death – to reduce the anxiety around death – God has it in his hands so I don’t have to worry about it.

“The psalm is a prayer of confidence, which, mostly on account of v. 8, is called an ‘evening hymn’, and for that reason has probably been inserted after Ps. 3, a ‘morning hymn’. It enables us to get an insight into the struggle of a man who, rejoicing in his faith, contends with his friends who are disheartened and discontented because they are passing through difficult times.” OTL p. 119

“The strength which emanates from this song is to be found in the imperturbability and assuredness of a heart which knows itself secure in the peace of God and which does not vacillate even when it has to face the controversies of the world and the press of spiritual and material afflictions, and in this way is always capable of mastering every situation. And that imperturbability and assuredness are always superior to the restlessness and apprehension in those who, because they have little faith, are always in doubt. But the strength which the psalmist possesses by virtue of his innermost treasure also enables him as he lifts up is eyes to God together with his friends, to lead them to a higher vision which transcends their momentary tensions- to show them the way which through true repentance will bring them to God’s peace and to renewed joy in him.” OTL p. 122

“Psalm 4 offers no theoretical solutions to the problems of false accusations, oppression and injustice. It offers, rather, a kind of therapy: prayer. For however strong the accuser or oppressor may be, ultimately it is only God who matters. And however deep the anguish and uncertainty may be, God can provide that inner peace which makes sleep possible.” WBC p. 82

“There is no suggestion in this psalm that the accusers go away or cease in their accusations. What changes as a consequence of prayer is not the external circumstance, but the inner spirit of the worshipper. the accusations are like barbs in the mind, needling and prodding, causing anxiety; prayer leads to that calmness of mind in which the accusations can be accepted and carried, for a greater peace of mind has come from God. Psalm 4 is thus a prayer which can be used by every believer, for there are none who do not experience, to some degree or another, the turmoil of mind expressed in the poignant psalm.” WBC pp. 82-83

“There is yet another side to all this; the psalm reflects the experience of the oppressed, but it arose because of the actions of an oppressor. It is in the nature of being human that we are most sensitive to being oppressed, but often insensitive to our own acts of oppression. The suffering reflected here is not rooted in some mysterious cosmic evil; it is the direct result of the words and actions of a fellow human being. One should not too quickly seek release from oppression, without also examining one’s own life for the acts and sentiments of oppression toward others.” WBC p. 83

“The psalmist here is suffering some ongoing trouble and asking God to rescue him. It would be nice if all our problems would disappear when we stopped drinking and using, but that’s not usually how it works. For most of us, the lies we told, the hurt we caused, and the damage we did-to ourselves and others- weren’t magically wiped out when we put down the bottle. We come to realize that years of destructive behavior take a long time to overcome. We learn to accept, though, that those wounds can only heal if we stop doing more harm. Getting drunk, getting high, no matter how badly we might want to, would only make things worse. We must begin to trust that the happiness that comes from our Higher Power is greater than when the “grain and wine abound.” And, God won’t give us a hangover!” Dafler p. 10

Alter Alter, Robert.  2007.  The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary New York: W. W. Norton & Company

WBC Allen, Leslie C. 1983. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 101-150. Vol. 21. Waco, TX: Word Books, Publisher.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1974. Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. 8th ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Press.

Bourgeault, C. (2006). Chanting the psalms: A practical guide Audio Book. New Seeds.

Brueggemann, Walter. 2007. Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit. 2nd ed. Eugene, OR: Cascade.

Brueggemann Brueggemann, Walter. 2014. From Whom No Secrets Are Hid: Introducing the Psalms. Edited by Brent A. Strawn. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Brueggemann, Walter. Davis Hanskins, Editor. 2022.  Our Hearts Wait: Worshiping Through Praise and Lament in the Psalms Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY.

Brueggemann, Walter. (2002). Spirituality of the psalms. Augsburg Pub. House. 

Brueggemann, Walter. (1984). The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg.

Chilson, Richard, ed. You Shall Not Want: A Spiritual Journey Based on the Psalms. Ave Maria Press, 2009.

Chittister Chittister, Joan. (2011). Songs of the heart: reflections on the psalms. John Garratt Publishing. 

Cudjoe-Wilkes, G., Wilkes, A. J., & Moss, O. (2022). Psalms for black lives: Reflections for the work of Liberation. Upper Room Books. 

WBC Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1-50–Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 19. Waco, TX: Word Books.

Creach Creach, Jerome Frederick Davis. 1998. Psalms: Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

DAFLER, J. (2021). PSOBRIETY: A journey of recovery through the psalms. Louisville, KY: WESTMINSTER JOHN KNOX.

W de Claisse-Walford, Nancy L. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 4-5. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 22. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2020. 

Green, Barbara. 1997. Like a Tree Planted: An Exploration of Psalms and Parables Through Metaphor. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press. 

W Hopkins, Denise Dombkowski. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 2-3. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 21. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2016. 

NIB Keck, Leander E. 2015. The New Interpreters Bible Commentary. Vol. 3. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Lewis, C. S. (2017). Reflections on the Psalms. Harper One, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. 

Mays Mays, James Luther. 1994. Psalms. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.

McCann McCann, J. C. (1993). A theological introduction to the book of Psalms: The Psalms as Torah. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

McCann, J. C., & Howell, J. C. 2001. Preaching the Psalms. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Merrill, N. C. (2020). Psalms for praying an invitation to wholeness (10th Anniversary Edition ed.). London, England: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Miller Miller, Patrick D. 1986. Interpreting the Psalms. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.

Morgan, Michael. 2010.  The Psalter for Christian Worship Revised Edition. Westminster John Knox Press.

Schlimm Schlimm, Matthew Richard. 2018. 70 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Nashville, TN: Abington Press.

Spong Spong, M. (Ed.). (2020). The words of her mouth: Psalms for the struggle. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.

WBC Tate, Marvin E. 1990. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 51-100. Edited by David Allan. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker. Vol. 20. Waco, TX: Word.

Weems, Ann. 1995. Psalm of Lament. Westminster John Knox Pres

OTL Weiser, Artur. 1998. Old Testament Library: Psalms. Translated by Herbert Hartwell. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Manchester University Press.