Psalm 4 (NRSV)
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Verse 1Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
Verse 2How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
Verse 3But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Verse 4When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Verse 5Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
Verse 6There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!"
Verse 7You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
Verse 8I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Devotion
“The Lord sets apart the faithful,” the psalmist asserts. In baptism we are set apart for the Lord. Daily we are invited to remember our baptisms. In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther says the promise of baptism is that daily our old selves are drowned through contrition and repentance so that our new selves can rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity. Because the Lord has set us apart, we are able to grow as God’s faithful children. The Lord promises to hear us when we call for help and for comfort and for inspiration.
Through no doing of our own we are at peace with the Lord. We can lie down and rest knowing that the work of salvation is done. We can rise up in the morning and serve the Lord with gladness in our heart because we have been redeemed and given new life and purpose.
Prayer
Help us offer right sacrifices: doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God. Amen.