Her eyes rolled back to the top of her head as she suddenly lost consciousness.
Just moments before, she had been crying in my wife’s arms, but now my baby girl was eerily silent. We quickly rushed her to the ER, where she experienced ten seizures in a span of twelve hours as the medical team scrambled to diagnose the problem.
Throughout that week, she would endure two hospital stays, one ambulance ride, a constant IV drip for anti-seizure medicine, and multiple neurological tests. It turned out to be a strong reaction to a virus, but the uncertainty made it so much worse.
That Sunday, I rolled wearily out of the not-so-comfy hospital cot because I was scheduled to guest preach at a church. I hadn’t had much time to prepare the sermon on Psalm 4, but I’d been soaking in its truths all week.
Desperate Prayer (v. 1)
In Psalm 4, David was afraid for his life. He felt trapped in a tight spot, yet he showed us how to run to God: “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!” (v. 1). David instinctively cried out in prayer. He remembered God’s past faithfulness and called out for grace once more.
When our one-year-old daughter experienced yet another seizure in the waiting room, we were rushed into the ER. My wife and I stood by helplessly as a team of medical professionals swarmed around our daughter’s unresponsive body, which seemed so tiny on that full-sized hospital bed.
Although fearful for her safety, our first instinct was to cry out to God. We didn’t have long or well-worded prayers, but simply the expression of urgency: “Help us, Lord! Save our daughter’s life!” Our remembrance of God’s past faithfulness and confidence in his present character reminded us of his sovereignty even in the storm. We had to wrestle against our sinful anxiety like David did in Psalm 4.
Shame and Guilt (vv. 2-3)
David experienced shame and guilt when he listened to others tell lies about him: “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?” (v. 2). He refused, however, to be defined by others and claimed his covenant identity in the Lord instead: “But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him” (v. 3).
The God of righteousness had declared David a favored son of Israel and a child of the covenant (Exodus 3:14-15). He had anointed him king of Israel and the nation’s covenant representative (2 Samuel 22:51). Thus, David lived among “the godly” who embrace the Lord’s steadfast love and are “set apart” from the other nations (Exodus 33:16). David reminds himself that the Lord listens when his people pray.
Once the initial terror wore off, my wife and I were tempted to question ourselves as parents: “Should we have brought her in sooner? Did we do something wrong?” We had to refute those lies by recalling our identity in Christ. We are chosen and loved. We are prayed for and protected. Even when we fail as parents, we are forgiven of sin and cleansed of our guilt. As God’s children, he is our righteousness and our salvation. We are called by his name and destined for eternal glory, knowing he will never leave us nor forsake us.
Unrighteous Anger (vv. 4-5)
David also warned against unrighteous anger during times of anxiety: “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent” (Psalm 4:4). David brought his anger before the only one who can restore the penitent, and he called his people to worship God: “Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD” (v. 5). David counseled both himself and those around him to trust in God when the anger rose in their anxious hearts.
My wife remained hypervigilant that first night as we waited for each new seizure to come. Then as the medication wore off, I held my daughter down as she screamed for hours and tried to rip out her IV. After two sleepless nights and the constant fear of each new setback, my wife and I were ready to snap at each other. We were growing frustrated with the hospital staff and had to hold our tongues to keep from lashing out in anger (v. 4b).
Many times, we repented for our sinful thoughts (v. 5). We read the psalms and counseled one another to trust in God. Our anger was rooted in a deep anxiety which only the Lord could take away.
Doubting God (vv. 6-7)
David finally warned against doubting God and despairing in our anxiety: “There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good?’” (v. 6a). David’s painful circumstances tempted him to wonder if God has stopped acting on his behalf.
Yet he counseled his own despairing soul to rejoice in the Lord: “‘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” (vv. 6b-7). David receives this priestly benediction reserved for Israel (Numbers 6:24-26) and God’s comfort reassures him more fully than a bountiful harvest.
In those initial hours of uncertainty, my wife and I were tempted to fear the worst-case scenario and had to continually remind ourselves to believe in God’s goodness. Only then could we rejoice with God in the midst of our trial. Like David, we were able to fall asleep that night once we trusted the Lord to take care of our daughter. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests His head at night, giving perfect peace.” We continue to be grateful for our daughter’s health but even more grateful for God’s eternal peace in troubling times.
Rest in Peace (v. 8)
David concluded his psalm with the promise of peace: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). David rested upon the Lord’s unchanging faithfulness and promises for the future.
After preaching that Sunday, I returned directly to the hospital to find my daughter fast asleep. I recalled how I held her throughout the previous night, singing the familiar songs “Jesus Loves Me” and “God is so Good” to calm my heart as well as hers. In that moment, God reminded me that I could trust him while I slept in the confidence of his unfailing love.
This month, my daughter turns four. She’s healthy and happy. She loves to sing and brings joy to our family. As her dad, I still get anxious at times, but I’ve learned to pray Psalm 4 in remembrance of God’s faithfulness: Lord, thank you for graciously answering our prayers (v. 1). Fill my mind and heart with your promises when I long for rest (v. 4). Increase my gladness for every good blessing you’ve given to me (v. 7), and let me be assured of my security in you (v. 8). Thank you, Lord, for every good night’s sleep.
Questions and Reflections for Growth
Psalm 4 addresses common temptations when anxiety keeps us up at night. This Godward prayer teaches us to overcome shame and guilt, unrighteous anger, and spiritual doubts.
- David’s “distress” literally speaks of being in “a tight spot.” Is the Lord your go-to option in times of distress? Do you naturally turn to him in prayer before seeking help elsewhere? Recite Psalm 4:1 to remind yourself of where you must turn. Reflect on God’s past faithfulness and his present, unchanging character each night before you sleep.
- List the truths about your identity in Christ which refute the lies of your enemies. For example, if God is your righteousness and salvation, then how can you worry about tomorrow?
- Review when you often become angry (either explosively or in smoldering silence). Can you trace your anger to fearful thoughts? If so, repent of both your anger and its root causes.
- Count your blessings in the Lord whenever you are tempted to despair about your circumstances. Write down a list of both your joys and trials, then compare which eternally matters most.
- Meditate on Psalm 4:8 and thank the Lord for every good night’s sleep.