July 25, 2025 • 12 mins
Psalm 4 offers powerful wisdom for those who feel overwhelmed, betrayed, or restless in the dark of night. In this episode, James Long, Jr. explores how David moved from pressure and panic to peace and prayerful confidence—even when life was falling apart. This psalm teaches us how to process emotional pain, respond to slander, and rest in the presence of God.
Episode Highlights:
- Psalm 4 as an evening prayer companion to Psalm 3's morning cry
- David’s honest plea for help during betrayal and emotional distress
- The rhythm of resilience: remember, rehearse, and re-ask
- The power of anger rightly processed: reflection over reactivity
- God’s presence as better than abundance or approval
- Joy that is rooted in God’s covenant love, not changing circumstances
- Peace that defies panic, anchored in the character of God
Reflection Questions:
- What situation in your life right now feels confining or emotionally suffocating?
- How do you tend to respond when you feel slandered or betrayed?
- What does it practically look like for you to "be angry and not sin"?
- Do you truly believe that God's presence is better than comfort or abundance? Why or why not?
- What helps you calm your heart at night—and how could Psalm 4 become part of your evening routine?
- Who in your life needs to be reminded that they are set apart and heard by God?
Closing Prayer:
Father, when the noise of life grows loud and my emotions rise, teach me to pause, reflect, and rest in Your presence. May Your face shine upon me and give me joy that calms my heart and peace that settles my soul.
Resources and Next Steps:
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://community.jameslongjr.org
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
- Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
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Hashtags:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Well, hello everyone.
It's James Long and we are intoPsalm number 4.
The title we gave this isSleeping in Peace when Life is
(00:43):
in Pieces.
If you do me a favor, grab yourBible I'll be using the ESV
version of the scriptures andalso grab a journal and a pen or
a pencil so that you can jotsome notes down.
Psalm 4 teaches us how toprocess pressure, resist anger
and also rest in God's peace.
Even when life feels unstable,when the noise of life drowns
(01:06):
out hope, the psalm guides us toa quiet confidence rooted in
God's righteousness and presence, calling out in the dark a
pattern for peace.
Psalm 4 opens with a bold prayer.
It says in verse 1, answer mewhen I call, O, god of my
righteousness.
This is not a polished, politerequest.
(01:27):
It's a desperate cry in thenight.
David is under pressure.
Most scholars believe that thispsalm was written during the
same season of betrayal thatgave us Psalm 3, likely while
David was fleeing from Absalom.
Now, if Psalm 3 were a morningprayer, psalm 4 is an evening
companion.
Now we see the rawness of a manwho has been deeply wounded and
(01:53):
falsely accused.
You have given me relief when Iwas in distress, he says,
remembering God's pastfaithfulness, verse 1.
The Hebrew word here fordistress speaks of being hemmed
in or confined.
It evokes the feeling ofsuffocating under pressure, an
emotional state familiar withanyone who's battling anxiety,
shame or betrayal.
Yet David doesn't let hisemotional state dictate his
(02:15):
theological view.
Even in pain, he clings to thetruth.
God is righteous, god hears andGod has helped before.
And so he boldly asks again Now.
This is the rhythm of spiritualresilience Remember, rehearse
and re-ask.
God invites us to speak plainlywith him.
(02:36):
He's not offended by urgentprayers.
He actually honors them,speaking to the heart, the truth
that confronts and comforts.
Now, in verses 2 through 5,david shifts from prayer to
proclamation.
He addresses those around him,likely those aligned with
Absalom or others who haveslandered his name.
(02:56):
He says this in verse 2, o men,how long shall my honor be
turned into shame Now?
This is the language ofbetrayal.
David feels the sting of publicdisgrace and personal rejection
.
Yet instead of retaliating,what does he do?
He redirects, he reminds themand he reminds himself of
(03:16):
something deeper.
Verse 3, but you know that theLord has set apart the godly for
himself.
The Lord hears when I call tohim, when others assault your
character or question your worth.
Remember this your identity isnot in their approval but in
God's choice.
You are set apart.
You are heard.
(03:37):
Now David offers some of themost practical emotional counsel
in the entire Psalter.
Verse 4, be angry and do not sin.
Ponder in your own hearts, onyour beds, and be silent.
This is incredibly powerfulcounsel.
David acknowledges thelegitimacy of anger, but warns
(03:59):
of its danger.
He encourages reflection beforereaction.
He encourages reflection beforereaction.
Counseling often involveshelping people to pause, reflect
and to reframe before they lashout.
Psalm 4 does this with stunningclarity.
Rather than fueling outrage,david directs his listeners
towards stillness.
Silence is not weakness, it'sactually wisdom.
(04:27):
Verse 5 says offer rightsacrifices and put your trust in
the Lord.
The way forward is not revengeor public vindication.
It's worship and trust.
For anyone caught in relationaltension or slander.
This path may feel unnatural,but it's the only way to peace.
Let God fight the battle.
You bring the offering of yourheart, the smile of God and the
(04:49):
secret of joy.
It says in verse 6, many aresaying who will show us some
good In times of nationalupheaval or personal suffering?
This is the cry of the crowd.
It's the voice of cynicism anddespair.
David responds not withpolitical plans or superficial
optimism, but with prayer.
(05:10):
He says this lift up the lightof your face upon us, o Lord.
This is an echo of the priestlyblessing in Numbers, chapter 6,
verses 24 to 26.
The Lord, make his face toshine upon you.
The favor of God, his smile,his nearness is the ultimate
good.
David is not asking forcircumstantial relief, but he is
(05:32):
asking for a relationalpresence.
What we need most in a crisisis not quick solutions, but a
steady assurance of God's gaze.
Then comes the line that couldsit on the counseling office
wall, verse 7, you have put morejoy in my heart than they have
when their grain and wineabounds.
This is a joy that is notcircumstantial but covenantal.
(05:56):
It's a joy that doesn't riseand fall with headlines or bank
accounts.
It's a joy that the worldcannot manufacture and the enemy
cannot steal.
It is internal, supernaturaland rooted in God's goodness.
Sleeping while the storms rage.
The psalm ends with what almostseems impossible.
(06:16):
In verse 8, it says this Inpeace, I will both lie down and
sleep for you alone, o Lord,make me dwell in safety.
David is still on the run, hisenemies still breathe threats,
the nation is still fractured,yet he lies down in peace.
This is not denial, it isdefiance.
It is a choice to trust God'scharacter over circumstances.
(06:39):
In biblical counseling we oftenhelp people make this move from
striving to surrender, fromself-reliance, to resting in
God's sovereignty.
The Hebrew word here for peaceis shalom.
It's not a mere absence ofconflict, but it's the presence
of completeness.
David finds shalom not becausehis situation is resolved, but
(07:02):
because his soul is settled.
The storms outside does notshake the anchor within.
This verse does not promisethat every night will be easy or
every fear will be erased, butit does promise that peace is
possible even in the dark,because God is near In a world
of noise and fear.
Psalm 4 is a nighttime psalmfor restless hearts.
(07:25):
Now let's think about thedoctrinal insights that we see
here.
We see first God'srighteousness In verse 1, our
prayers are rooted not in ourworthiness but in the
righteousness of God.
We also see divine election.
We see in verse 3,.
It says that the Lord has setapart the godly for himself,
securing our identity and ourworth.
(07:46):
We see sanctified emotions herein verse 4.
He says anger is acknowledgedbut it is regulated by truth and
trust.
We also see God's presence asthe ultimate good.
In verses 6-7, it says joycomes not from abundance but
from the Lord's face shiningupon us.
(08:07):
And then, finally, we see notonly God's righteousness and
divine election and sanctifiedemotions and God's presence as
the ultimate good, but we alsosee peace in God alone verse 8,
because we see that true safetyand rest are found in God's
protective presence, not incircumstances.
So let's make this theologypractical.
(08:29):
Psalm 4 speaks directly intoemotional health and spiritual
formation.
For the anxious andsleep-deprived, it offers a path
to rest rooted in God'spresence.
For those of us that are angryor reactive, it teaches us
reflection, silence and godlyrestraint.
For those that are slandered ormisunderstood, it re-centers
(08:52):
identity in God's call, notman's opinion.
For those of us that aredisappointed.
It reminds us that joy is notfound in abundance, but in the
assurance of God's smile.
And for the counselor, itoffers a model for
truth-centered processing,honest emotions, theological
grounding and practicalredirection.
(09:14):
Now in ministry and in life.
This psalm teaches us to movefrom venting to prayer, from
reaction to worship.
It helps us parent children byteaching them to bring their
anger to God and their fears toHim, even in the night.
And for the weary believer,it's a soft pillow made of truth
.
Now we'll turn to the reflectand respond section.
(09:36):
Now, as always, I hope you haveyour Bible with you when we do
these devotionals, and I hopeyou have a Bible with you when
we do these devotionals.
And I hope you have a journaland a pen or a pencil so that
you can write down some of thenotes that you learned from our
study and then also to answerthese reflect and respond
questions.
Here's question number one whatsituation in your life is
making you feel hemmed in rightnow?
(09:57):
Question number two how do youusually respond to betrayal or
slander?
And also, how does Psalm 4redirect your reactions?
Question number three what doesit mean for you to be angry and
not sick.
What would it look likepractically?
(10:17):
Question number four do youbelieve that God's smile, his
presence, is greater thanabundance?
Why or why not?
Question number five whatpractices help you experience
peace before sleep and how mightyou include Psalm 4 in your
evening routine?
And question number six whoaround you needs to be reminded
(10:42):
that they are set apart andheard by God?
Now, as always, you can alwaysstop the recording, answer those
questions and then come back tothem.
I hope that is helpful to you.
Let's pray here.
Father, you hear when I callyou, hear my fears, my
frustrations and the burdensthat I carry in the night.
Help me to pause, reflect andtrust you rather than to lash
(11:05):
out in anger and be consumed byshame.
Shine the light of your faceupon me.
Give me joy that is deeper thanthe circumstances, and peace
that calms my anxious heart.
I lay down tonight, not in fearbut in faith, my anxious heart.
I lay down tonight, not in fearbut in faith.
Thank you for surrounding mewith your presence.
In Jesus' matchless, holy andpowerful name, we pray Amen.
(11:28):
So here's the call to action.
If you feel like peace is out ofreach, especially at night,
psalm 4 offers you more thanjust a technique.
It offers you a person, and ifyou would like to learn more
about us here, I would love itif you would consider joining
our free navigator level at ourLessons for Life community.
You can go tocommunityjameslongjrorg.
(11:53):
You'll get devotionals, meetupsand training that will help you
walk by faith, or explore oneof our full memberships at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now.
You'll get deeper coachingcontent that is designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually
(12:14):
wise.
The world offers noise.
God offers you rest.
Choose the better path.
Be blessed everyone.
Take care.
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Well, hello everyone.
It's James Long and we are intoPsalm number 4.
The title we gave this isSleeping in Peace when Life is
(00:43):
in Pieces.
If you do me a favor, grab yourBible I'll be using the ESV
version of the scriptures andalso grab a journal and a pen or
a pencil so that you can jotsome notes down.
Psalm 4 teaches us how toprocess pressure, resist anger
and also rest in God's peace.
Even when life feels unstable,when the noise of life drowns
(01:06):
out hope, the psalm guides us toa quiet confidence rooted in
God's righteousness and presence, calling out in the dark a
pattern for peace.
Psalm 4 opens with a bold prayer.
It says in verse 1, answer mewhen I call, O, god of my
righteousness.
This is not a polished, politerequest.
(01:27):
It's a desperate cry in thenight.
David is under pressure.
Most scholars believe that thispsalm was written during the
same season of betrayal thatgave us Psalm 3, likely while
David was fleeing from Absalom.
Now, if Psalm 3 were a morningprayer, psalm 4 is an evening
companion.
Now we see the rawness of a manwho has been deeply wounded and
(01:53):
falsely accused.
You have given me relief when Iwas in distress, he says,
remembering God's pastfaithfulness, verse 1.
The Hebrew word here fordistress speaks of being hemmed
in or confined.
It evokes the feeling ofsuffocating under pressure, an
emotional state familiar withanyone who's battling anxiety,
shame or betrayal.
Yet David doesn't let hisemotional state dictate his
(02:15):
theological view.
Even in pain, he clings to thetruth.
God is righteous, god hears andGod has helped before.
And so he boldly asks again Now.
This is the rhythm of spiritualresilience Remember, rehearse
and re-ask.
God invites us to speak plainlywith him.
(02:36):
He's not offended by urgentprayers.
He actually honors them,speaking to the heart, the truth
that confronts and comforts.
Now, in verses 2 through 5,david shifts from prayer to
proclamation.
He addresses those around him,likely those aligned with
Absalom or others who haveslandered his name.
(02:56):
He says this in verse 2, o men,how long shall my honor be
turned into shame Now?
This is the language ofbetrayal.
David feels the sting of publicdisgrace and personal rejection
.
Yet instead of retaliating,what does he do?
He redirects, he reminds themand he reminds himself of
(03:16):
something deeper.
Verse 3, but you know that theLord has set apart the godly for
himself.
The Lord hears when I call tohim, when others assault your
character or question your worth.
Remember this your identity isnot in their approval but in
God's choice.
You are set apart.
You are heard.
(03:37):
Now David offers some of themost practical emotional counsel
in the entire Psalter.
Verse 4, be angry and do not sin.
Ponder in your own hearts, onyour beds, and be silent.
This is incredibly powerfulcounsel.
David acknowledges thelegitimacy of anger, but warns
(03:59):
of its danger.
He encourages reflection beforereaction.
He encourages reflection beforereaction.
Counseling often involveshelping people to pause, reflect
and to reframe before they lashout.
Psalm 4 does this with stunningclarity.
Rather than fueling outrage,david directs his listeners
towards stillness.
Silence is not weakness, it'sactually wisdom.
(04:27):
Verse 5 says offer rightsacrifices and put your trust in
the Lord.
The way forward is not revengeor public vindication.
It's worship and trust.
For anyone caught in relationaltension or slander.
This path may feel unnatural,but it's the only way to peace.
Let God fight the battle.
You bring the offering of yourheart, the smile of God and the
(04:49):
secret of joy.
It says in verse 6, many aresaying who will show us some
good In times of nationalupheaval or personal suffering?
This is the cry of the crowd.
It's the voice of cynicism anddespair.
David responds not withpolitical plans or superficial
optimism, but with prayer.
(05:10):
He says this lift up the lightof your face upon us, o Lord.
This is an echo of the priestlyblessing in Numbers, chapter 6,
verses 24 to 26.
The Lord, make his face toshine upon you.
The favor of God, his smile,his nearness is the ultimate
good.
David is not asking forcircumstantial relief, but he is
(05:32):
asking for a relationalpresence.
What we need most in a crisisis not quick solutions, but a
steady assurance of God's gaze.
Then comes the line that couldsit on the counseling office
wall, verse 7, you have put morejoy in my heart than they have
when their grain and wineabounds.
This is a joy that is notcircumstantial but covenantal.
(05:56):
It's a joy that doesn't riseand fall with headlines or bank
accounts.
It's a joy that the worldcannot manufacture and the enemy
cannot steal.
It is internal, supernaturaland rooted in God's goodness.
Sleeping while the storms rage.
The psalm ends with what almostseems impossible.
(06:16):
In verse 8, it says this Inpeace, I will both lie down and
sleep for you alone, o Lord,make me dwell in safety.
David is still on the run, hisenemies still breathe threats,
the nation is still fractured,yet he lies down in peace.
This is not denial, it isdefiance.
It is a choice to trust God'scharacter over circumstances.
(06:39):
In biblical counseling we oftenhelp people make this move from
striving to surrender, fromself-reliance, to resting in
God's sovereignty.
The Hebrew word here for peaceis shalom.
It's not a mere absence ofconflict, but it's the presence
of completeness.
David finds shalom not becausehis situation is resolved, but
(07:02):
because his soul is settled.
The storms outside does notshake the anchor within.
This verse does not promisethat every night will be easy or
every fear will be erased, butit does promise that peace is
possible even in the dark,because God is near In a world
of noise and fear.
Psalm 4 is a nighttime psalmfor restless hearts.
(07:25):
Now let's think about thedoctrinal insights that we see
here.
We see first God'srighteousness In verse 1, our
prayers are rooted not in ourworthiness but in the
righteousness of God.
We also see divine election.
We see in verse 3,.
It says that the Lord has setapart the godly for himself,
securing our identity and ourworth.
(07:46):
We see sanctified emotions herein verse 4.
He says anger is acknowledgedbut it is regulated by truth and
trust.
We also see God's presence asthe ultimate good.
In verses 6-7, it says joycomes not from abundance but
from the Lord's face shiningupon us.
(08:07):
And then, finally, we see notonly God's righteousness and
divine election and sanctifiedemotions and God's presence as
the ultimate good, but we alsosee peace in God alone verse 8,
because we see that true safetyand rest are found in God's
protective presence, not incircumstances.
So let's make this theologypractical.
(08:29):
Psalm 4 speaks directly intoemotional health and spiritual
formation.
For the anxious andsleep-deprived, it offers a path
to rest rooted in God'spresence.
For those of us that are angryor reactive, it teaches us
reflection, silence and godlyrestraint.
For those that are slandered ormisunderstood, it re-centers
(08:52):
identity in God's call, notman's opinion.
For those of us that aredisappointed.
It reminds us that joy is notfound in abundance, but in the
assurance of God's smile.
And for the counselor, itoffers a model for
truth-centered processing,honest emotions, theological
grounding and practicalredirection.
(09:14):
Now in ministry and in life.
This psalm teaches us to movefrom venting to prayer, from
reaction to worship.
It helps us parent children byteaching them to bring their
anger to God and their fears toHim, even in the night.
And for the weary believer,it's a soft pillow made of truth
.
Now we'll turn to the reflectand respond section.
(09:36):
Now, as always, I hope you haveyour Bible with you when we do
these devotionals, and I hopeyou have a Bible with you when
we do these devotionals.
And I hope you have a journaland a pen or a pencil so that
you can write down some of thenotes that you learned from our
study and then also to answerthese reflect and respond
questions.
Here's question number one whatsituation in your life is
making you feel hemmed in rightnow?
(09:57):
Question number two how do youusually respond to betrayal or
slander?
And also, how does Psalm 4redirect your reactions?
Question number three what doesit mean for you to be angry and
not sick.
What would it look likepractically?
(10:17):
Question number four do youbelieve that God's smile, his
presence, is greater thanabundance?
Why or why not?
Question number five whatpractices help you experience
peace before sleep and how mightyou include Psalm 4 in your
evening routine?
And question number six whoaround you needs to be reminded
(10:42):
that they are set apart andheard by God?
Now, as always, you can alwaysstop the recording, answer those
questions and then come back tothem.
I hope that is helpful to you.
Let's pray here.
Father, you hear when I callyou, hear my fears, my
frustrations and the burdensthat I carry in the night.
Help me to pause, reflect andtrust you rather than to lash
(11:05):
out in anger and be consumed byshame.
Shine the light of your faceupon me.
Give me joy that is deeper thanthe circumstances, and peace
that calms my anxious heart.
I lay down tonight, not in fearbut in faith, my anxious heart.
I lay down tonight, not in fearbut in faith.
Thank you for surrounding mewith your presence.
In Jesus' matchless, holy andpowerful name, we pray Amen.
(11:28):
So here's the call to action.
If you feel like peace is out ofreach, especially at night,
psalm 4 offers you more thanjust a technique.
It offers you a person, and ifyou would like to learn more
about us here, I would love itif you would consider joining
our free navigator level at ourLessons for Life community.
You can go tocommunityjameslongjrorg.
(11:53):
You'll get devotionals, meetupsand training that will help you
walk by faith, or explore oneof our full memberships at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now.
You'll get deeper coachingcontent that is designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually
(12:14):
wise.
The world offers noise.
God offers you rest.
Choose the better path.
Be blessed everyone.
Take care.
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