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Psalm 4 – Praying through the Bible #168 – A Prayer for Freedom from Self
We all care what others think of us. Some admit it. Some are controlled by it. Others react against it. We can pretend we don’t care; but other’s words and opinions often hurt. The cloaked emotional crisis is what others think can lead beyond thoughts and words; dangerous actions can result, sometimes by “me.”
Psalm 4 is a bedtime prayer remembering what God thinks and does is like God – above all. David prays, “Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me” (4.1). Realizing God is the source of our well-being is right; but it doesn’t always keep what others think and do from infiltrating our minds. If it did, David wouldn’t be praying – and writing – about it.
“You freed me from affliction” (4.1). David is living the future, making it the present. The affliction is seen in his complaint: “How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?” (4.2). Have you been slandered? Has your honor been attacked? Have you been lied about? David’s situation is not unlike ours. His solution is to grab hold of future freedom as if it is the present. David is praying the future into the now. Think about the power that emotional relief brings. It is the power of freedom.
David continues: “Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him” (4.3). Despite what others might think, David is faithful, and when he says, “Answer me when I call,” he knows God will. What’s comforting about this is often when slanderers curse our name and lie about us, weak-minded people believe it. When they do, former friends fail to “answer the phone” when we call.
What happens when we weakly are controlled by the sins others commit against us? I am going to take vv.4-5 as advice David is giving, whether to himself or others. More pointedly, I am going to take it as advice taken by me: “Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the LORD.” When we hurt, we get angry. Our anger is not wrong, but it can lead to wrong. Consider this; our anger is a warning to ourselves shouting “Be careful!” When we feel ourselves losing our emotional balance, we need to “reflect.” We need to pause to think. Then we need to worship. Part of our worship is remembering our self-worth comes from what God thinks of us, not others. This helps protect us from ourselves.
Psalm 4 closes by dismissing more thoughts of others (4.6); and praying again to God (4.6-8). David thanks God for giving him more joy in his heart than what others have over materialistic goods. Freedom brings joy. Finally, David can go to “sleep in peace” because God alone makes him “live in safety.” Free, maybe even from himself.
Prayer Challenge: Pray for freedom from caring from other’s thoughts; these can lead them and us to unfaithful actions. And then sleep well, living future’s freedom today.
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