DC Devotion: Psalm 4

 BY ALAINA (GLOVER) FRIDLEY, AREA COORDINATOR AT ANDERSON UNIVERSITY

This Psalm has been referred to as an “Evening Psalm” for many generations and in many different church groups and denominations. This means it is encouraged to be recited and prayed as we prepare for sleep. Great biblical scholars and groundbreaking theologians like Augustine and Martin Luther also referred to this Psalm in their works quite often.

What then, is so drawing about this Psalm? Why should we read this before bed and meditate on its words? I think it’s because we all have felt these feelings. We all have felt betrayed, slighted, angered, confused, or forsaken. We often see those who have walked away from the Lord, or those who have never served the Lord at all, prospering. We also might feel the insecurity of everyone else’s words or thoughts, whether legitimate or made up by our anxiety or offense. 

With this Psalm let us turn to God with every ounce of those feelings and allow them to leave our mind the second the words leave our mouth. In some translations “tremble, and do not sin” reads “be angry, and do not sin.” Rather than having our anger boil and affect our actions, this Psalm invites us to lay the anger out before the Lord as we lay in our beds. As we come to him with our last moments of the day let us be invited to be raw and real with the Lord and to search our hearts why we feel the way we do. Through that vulnerability, he leads us to trust in His promises again. That the good Father wants to bring justice, He wants to bring prosperity to our lives, and peace to our minds, he longs to make us feel safe and remember the joy that fills our hearts. Then, sleep peacefully. 

Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.