Supplication through the Scriptures-Psalm 4

From Turmoil to Tranquility








God is a never-failing comforter.
C.H. Spurgeon
In today’s Psalm, we see the Psalmist crying out to the Lord, and in the midst of his hardships, he has gladness and joy because he trusts in the Lord. Let’s seek the Lord on behalf of a loved one. 

Calling to God

4:1 “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 
Pray:
▪️ for the Lord to respond to our cries for help in the lives of those we love.
▪️ that your loved one would rejoice and give thanks that God is the God of our righteousness. Through Christ, we have been justified, or made right, with God. Does your loved one know Christ through faith? Or are they trusting in their own good deeds? Pray that they would understand that our righteousness is not our own, but we have the righteousness of Christ counted on our behalf, through faith. 
▪️And thank God for His past deliverance. When has He given relief to you or your loved one? Remind yourself of His faithfulness to you. 
▪️That God would graciously hear your prayer today. 

Speaking Truth

4:2-3 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 
Pray:
▪️the Lord would vindicate a circumstance where your loved one has been mistreated, and He would cause those who trust in Him to never be put to shame. 
▪️The Lord would remove any love for worthless things and any deception in their lives. Is there an idolatrous affection for something in your loved one’s life? Is there a concern that they are practicing deceit or lying? Pray that the Lord would reveal those things hidden in darkness and the truth would be revealed. 
▪️That if they are part of His people, set apart for the Lord, they would walk worthy of His calling. 
▪️That you and they would have confidence to call on Him knowing He hears. Call out to Him now for the situation that is heavy on your heart. 

Trusting the Lord

4:4-5 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. 
Pray:
▪️There would be discernment between righteous anger and sinful anger, and there would be repentance for sinful anger. 
▪️They would make it a priority to present their requests to God in solitude, and they would give their complaint directly to Him. 
▪️The Lord would give wisdom to think carefully of the situation that is causing turmoil and be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. 
▪️There would be a willingness to make sacrifices. Is the Lord asking for a desire to be relinquished? Is He showing another option? Is there resistance to His will? Pray for willingness to be a living sacrifice to the Lord. 
▪️There would be a trust and confidence in the Lord alone. 

Joy and Peace in the Light of His Countenance

4:6-8 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Pray:
▪️There would be no doubt in the Lord’s goodness. 
▪️The light of His countenance would be upon them and bless them with greater knowledge of the Lord. 
▪️The Lord would give fullness of joy and it would be sweeter than any material abundance. 
▪️The Lord would guard with His peace the hearts and minds of those who rely on Him, giving all their anxieties to Him. Is there one thing in your loved one or through this situation that you can be thankful for?
▪️They would have restful sleep. Because the Lord has designed our bodies to need rest, pray that He would provide it. 
▪️That all thanks would be directed to the Lord for providing a place of safety and rest. 
‭‭
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

“As an expression of confidence in God, the psalm helps the reader to meditate on God's fatherly care and to leave the troubles and causes of anxiety in his hands. Here the psalmist teaches us that in our walk with God he can bring us to the point where we can sleep without fear.”
-Willem A. VanGemeren, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms 

All Scripture from the ESV
Photo credit to Jakob Owens

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