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Psalm 4

 

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?  

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4)

 

          At least every four years we face a season in which people spend millions of dollars telling us what wonderful things they are going to do for us and to those other folks (or for those other folks and to us.) Once they are elected, even if they were to perform miracles, the people would complain as they’ve been complaining for millennia. They complained to and about Moses, asking who was going to bring them water, food, meat, something other than manna. They complained about Joshua and the judges, asking who was going to give them victory. Saul killed his thousands in defending Israel, and David killed his tens of thousands, and still, the people turned to David’s son, Absalom, who promised easy justice, faster answers to their needs, and all the most recent in inclusive religion.

          The way to blessing described in today’s psalm?

1)    Tremble (fear God) and do not sin

2)    Don’t get tangled up in the sins of others or gossip (search your hearts and be silent.)

3)    Stand in the light of His face

4)    Rejoice when others abound or do well.

5)    Don’t worry (lie down and sleep in peace.)

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