Day 4 of Searching the Psalms

Please share your thoughts in the comments below each day so that we can

learn and grow together as we seek to know God and live justly.




Psalm 4 (ESV)


1Answer 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. 


Comments

  1. CarolynAugust 4, 2020 at 10:31 AM

    The Message Bible v1 says, "Once in a tight place, you gave me room." I have been in a tight place more than once in my Christian walk, and over and over again God has given me room to grow my way out of it. I now realize that tight places build my faith in who God is, and the voice of the Holy Spirit grows louder in my life.
    Message Bible v5 "Complain if you must, but don't lash out." I love it! God knows we are going to complain, so He says, "Go ahead, get it over with, but make sure you don't offend Me or the Holy Spirit."
    My anger/disappointment in this season is over the way America, our country continues to treat the poor, the homeless, substandard education of disadvantaged children, lack of social services for the mentally ill, the continued injustice towards people of color, and the way we treat each other-less than human at times. And, America continues business as usual. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

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    Replies
    1. KathleenAugust 4, 2020 at 4:14 PM

      Yes, Pastor Carolyn, I have known some tight places in my life, some I grew through but many I just think the Lord reached down and yanked me out of. I don't know how often I actually knew that He did it at the time, but at the age of 72, I can really look back and see His mercy.

      In my Douay version there is a note below Psalm 4 that says that this particular psalm was meant to be sung for David or to him. As a Catholic and a Franciscan I am accustomed to saying and often singing the psalms with others and sometimes with responses that musically would be called a refrain. So I tried singing this one and found that part of the first verse made a really good refrain to sing after each verse; "Have mercy on me and hear my prayer."

      As I was singing it that way, I became convicted by part of verse 5, which in my Bible says, "The things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them on your beds."

      I am accustomed to nightly reviewing my daily failures ( sorry, that's just a euphemism for what I should call out as my sins) . I will admit, too, that I usually examine only my words and actions and NOT as the psalmist directs, the things I say in my heart. Tonight I will ask God to have mercy on me for those things that I have said secretly in my heart today and the many times in my past.

      Delete
  2. Brad ArnoldAugust 4, 2020 at 12:11 PM

    Hey Pastor Carolyn. I am soooo glad you commented on these verses, they are both soooo rich in wisdom. Thank you also for circling us back around to issues of JUSTICE. Thank you Pastor Carolyn for how YOU live the Psalms. Yes, Lord! Arise! Someone texted me this verse as it relates to lashing out at those who contribute to injustice: "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Ps. 4:4 NLT.

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    Replies
    1. KathleenAugust 4, 2020 at 4:21 PM

      Yes, Brad, I think that is so important. The Douay says "Be ye angry and sin not" . So I believe that is telling us that anger in itself is not sinful and that it is even ok. It is when we allow our selves to do or say (or say in our hearts) sinful things that we have not stood with the Lord, and therefore sinned.

      Delete
  3. Brad ArnoldAugust 4, 2020 at 6:38 PM

    We got St. Kathy of Harpers Ferry and the Rev Carolyn of Pasadena and these 2 women are bringing the wisdom everyday, that's all I gotta say!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Effervesce/Bubble TroubleAugust 5, 2020 at 7:21 AM

    I'm late to the party but glad to be here nonetheless. I come with a praise report. August 1st was a full day for me. I had a workshop in the morning, after I would ride my bike to say goodbye to Laura and Dell and from there, continue my ride to orientation for the Census. This would be about a 35 minute ride. It took longer for me because of the heat. As a result, I was a little late. I was turned away and told if they would have another, I would be called. I left wondering how, if the gentleman who helped me didn't even get my name.

    Nevertheless, I left, riding down the hill and a precious little girl told me, "Black Lives Matter," which lifted my spirits greatly. Also, while taking a rest on the curb, a white man riding his bike passed me but called back, "you OK?" Again, I was taken aback and my spirits were greatly lifted. "Yes, thank you!" I replied.
    I returned home grateful for God's goodness even in the heat of the day.
    Yesterday, August 4th, I decided to catch up on the Searching the Psalms. I meditated on Psalm 4. I received a call from the Census that day wanting to reschedule me for Friday. And get this, the location is only an 8 minute ride away.

    They called and left a message. Then they called again even after I confirmed. It was funny to me that they kept calling and then my eyes fell on the first part of Psalm 4 again where it says, "Hear me when I call..." I laughed at how good God is. Always confirming His Word.

    Lorinda

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    Replies
    1. Brad ArnoldAugust 5, 2020 at 5:13 PM

      Wow, Sister Lorinda, LOVED hearing how God heard YOU when you called! Encourages us all. And loved the everyday stories on your bike and the kindness from people. Little girl BLM says it all. Amazing how God can meet us on a bike ride! Thank you for sharing your life with us and how God is speaking to you in tangible ways through the Psalms.

      Delete
    2. Effervesce/Bubble TroubleAugust 7, 2020 at 6:34 AM

      Thank you for the encouragement. Hallelujah.

      Delete
  5. KathleenAugust 5, 2020 at 5:30 PM

    Lorinda, you are a gifted storyteller! I could visualize evrything ! You were certainly open to God's hidden treasures !

    ReplyDelete

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