The Week of February 4, 2008

Psalm 4,5 and 6
These three Psalms are all individual prayers of supplication. They approach God in a time of need, fully expecting God's deliverance and protection. You will notice that they are attributed to David, and that musical notation is included. Remember that these notes were added to the Psalter late in their development, and that we don't really have solid historical information to substantiate these notes.

Psalm 4

Here a loss of honor and vicious lies seem to cause the distress of the Psalmist. Notice the indication that true honor comes from God (vs. 2). Though the falsehoods spoken may cause the faithful anger, the Psalmist suggests that such anger should not move us to sin (vs. 4). Verses 8-9 speak of an inner peace that comes to those who trust in God - a peace that allows us to sleep soundly! Because of this verse, Psalm 4 has often been used as a prayer before bedtime.

Psalm 5

Again, evil lies are the sin exposed in this Psalm. The person of faith comes to God in the morning, and approaches God's temple in supplication. The metaphor of God "shielding" the faithful from the harm of the lie comes again in vs. 12. Notice the metaphor for the evil of the human tongue used in vs. 9 "their mouths are an open grave" or "an open grave their throat, their tongue, smooth-talking."

Psalm 6

Here illness seems to be the main cause of pain and suffering, though once again, enemies "enjoying" the suffering of the person of faith seem to add to the distress. As strong as the imagery of suffering here, there is still an element of hope, that God is present, and listening to the prayer.

My Thoughts...

I weary in my sighing; I make my bed swim every night, with my tears
I water my couch. From vexation my eye becomes dim..the Lord hears the sound of my weeping. Psalm 6:6-7

The little girl comes to the breakfast table, pale and distracted. She holds her side a bit. "Are you ill?" I ask. "No," she says, "I cried so hard last night my sides hurt." Some little girl misunderstanding; some mean words between friends has broken her heart. The psalmist's prayer may sound like hyperbole, but for that particular little girl, that particular morning, they ring true. Human beings can be incredibly cruel with their words and actions, and there are times when our tears have a bottomless reservoir to draw from. Listen to the psalmist. Even in the midst of such pain and suffering, he understands that God hears the sound of tears falling - even in the middle of the night - even when no one else might understand - God does. As I held that little girl, and her tears flowed once more, I reminded her how lovely she was - how precious - to both me, her parents, and her God. "I know," she said "God staid up with me all night." Out of the mouths of babes!

Let all who shelter in you rejoice; let them sing gladly forever - protect them-
and those who love Your name exult in you.. Like a shield you crown them with favor.
Psalm 5:12-1

Blessings,
Pastor Stacy

back