Psalm 4:8 – Peaceful Sleep

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
(Psalm 4:8)

Have you ever had a toss-and-turn kind of night where you felt like sleep evaded you? Perhaps you were lost in troubling thoughts or struggling with an illness or infirmity. Those hours seem to just trudge by, don’t they? This is a memory verse to call on in those moments. We often forget to call on God or claim his promises in our moments of insomnia.

Context: Psalm 4 is a cry to God from the psalmist, David. Apparently, he was going through a very hard time in his life where he felt attacked and misunderstood. He turned to God because he wanted God’s provision. David seemed confident he would be comforted in his hour of despair because he knew God was listening. Verse 8 is the concluding verse of the psalm, and it reveals David’s trust in God.

Do you trust in God like David? Are you confident that God listens to your prayers? When we are in relationship with God, we have access to special protection and provision. We just need to open up and boldly ask. We can trust that God will respond according to what he deems is best for us.

Sometimes we ask God for things that aren’t in our best interest. We may have a selfish need or desire that if granted would only lead to problems. God can see the big picture, and we are wise when we trust him and his answer to our prayers and requests.

This verse speaks of getting peaceful sleep. What a delight it can be to snuggle under the sheets and blankets on a cool evening! To wake up to the morning light streaming through cracks in the curtains, knowing you’ve had a restful night of sleep, brings joy, doesn’t it?

Before retiring to Mexico, there weren’t many mornings I had the luxury of waking to the sun bursting through the shades. Rather, I encountered that sun on my commute to work while rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Getting a restful night of sleep restores the soul and sets us up perfectly for a successful day. Don’t let another sleepless night ruin your opportunity for a brighter day.

Try claiming this verse when sleep eludes you. You may need to repeat it several times. I wouldn’t be surprised if this verse will lead you into a prayer of thanksgiving. Thank God for the blessings in your life. You can start with the first letter, A, and work through the alphabet thanking God for the first person or thing that pops into your head.

Rest in the Lord. Remember you are safe in his arms.

Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for being my saving grace. When troubles come, especially in the middle of the night, I have confidence in you. Thank you for always hearing my prayers and keeping me safe in your loving arms. I am so honored to be your child. Help me to rest well so I can be a better version of myself able to serve you more completely. Help me shut out the noise of the world that distracts me from your love and truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.