Psalm 4 - Answer Me When I Call

Using different genres and invoking an array of emotions, Psalms is a book for the whole person. Psalms are for the intellect, will, and emotions. Each week a new Psalm will be added for reflection and contemplation. Pray it will deepen your affections for God and help you express your feelings to God. Psalms are made up of different genres. Each genre highlights different emotions. Lament, Thanksgiving, Royal, Wisdom, Messianic, Remembrance—just to name a few.

  • Acknowledge your emotions. The Psalms call readers to acknowledge and name emotions, encouraging us to empathize with the author. They express joy, sadness, love, anger, and thanksgiving, reminding us we are not alone in how we feel.

  • Pray through the Psalm. Learning to pray through Scripture calls us to slow down and see God’s heart, truth, and posture towards us in the midst of our experiences and feelings.

  • Reflect. Take time to review the Psalm for the week. Answer the reflection questions. Don’t rush. Your purpose is not to accomplish something, but to spend time with someone (Jesus).

  • Take your time. This is not a race! Intentionally make space each day to read and reflect on the Psalm. We will spend a week on each Psalm. The goal is to learn how to linger and enjoy a relationship with God through the reading of His Word.

Day 1: Read the Psalm. Just read it. Maybe read it twice. 

Day 2: Answer the Reflection Questions.

Day 3: Personally Reflect on the Psalm. Note your thoughts and questions. What is your favorite verse, why? 

Day 4: Write a Prayer for yourself based on the Psalm

Day 5: Slowly Reread the Psalm.  
 

Psalm 4 - Answer Me When I Call

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

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!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

Reflection Questions

  1. How often, when you are in stressful situations, is your first inclination to go to God in prayer? 

  2. What does verse 4 mean, "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent?"

  3. When reflecting on the joy of the Lord do you resonate with verse 7, "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Why or Why not? 

  4. In times of stress can you rest in Lord as it says in verse 8, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."?