Psalm 4:6-8
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Daily Devotion
Protection
By: Darell Dauenhauer
King David is known as the “man after God’s own heart”. His imagery in the Psalms, paints various pictures that help us grasp this great God we serve. Psalm 4:6-8 has several interesting passages of David’s view of God. In verse 6 he asks God to “…lift up the light of thy countenance upon us.” Light has to do with illumination, being able to see what is around us and determine the state of affairs. The contrast to that is darkness. I leave for work early in the morning, if something gets displaced in the garage, then I’m at risk to trip and fall because I can’t see. Light changes our ability to navigate life.
Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
David continues in Psalms 4:7 to say, “Thou has put gladness in my heart.” Notice how he uses the past tense. David doesn’t say, “He’s going to…” rather He states God has already established gladness in our hearts. It’s Gods will we live in gladness and joy, its preordained! Then David makes a comparison. He uses the word MORE. The gladness God puts in us can’t be compared with worldly benefits. We all like when the economy is good, we are financially stable, and the bills are paid. But the joy of the Lord has nothing to do with feast or famine. He establishes joy and gladness despite circumstances.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
The last verse is Psalms 4:8, this is the result of trusting in God and knowing He delights in us and brings joy to our life. David says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Three key words are used to give us perspective on the hedge about us, peace, sleep and safety. Any one of those words can stand alone, but together they give a broad view of how God surrounds us and protects us.
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.