Psalm 4

Psalm 4

David is the author. Also, there is a first musical superscription in the Psalter – choir and strings. 

The psalm is an evening prayer (v. 4 and 8). When we lie on our beds, thinking about the worries of the day that passed and the coming one, we can rely on the Lord, who gives relief when we are in distress (v. 1).

 

What do you think about when you can’t go to sleep?

Family matter…

Health…

Future…

 

Lord is the One who puts words for prayer on our lips (Ps. 51:15 and Rom. 2:26) and allows us to see how much He cares or pities us.

 

David identifies three areas:

1. Godless men – a there are people who seek vain words and things (v. 2).

2. Giving God the priority – we can be upset, yet not falling into sin, recognizing that He is in charge and appointed/sets apart godly people to every situation (vv. 3-4).

3. Living out the call of liturgical life (vv. 5-7):

            * right sacrifices

            * looking the light of the LORD

            * Joy in the heart with the Lord’s Supper

  

He concludes with an ability to sleep in peace (shalom), because LORD provides safety (v. 8). Like Lord’s Prayer talks about the God’s will be done and provision of Daily Bread (Matthew 6:10-11). 

Advent Readings: Luke 11

Luke 11

The chapter is part of a larger portion. Two parts of the central part of the block are dedicated (d) to the Lord’s prayer and prayer in general and (d’) to teaching on an unclean spirit. Many words have been said and written about prayer life. Jesus gives an exemplary prayer and a lesson on persistence in prayer.

In a parallel passage we see Jesus’ exorcism and teaching on the unclean spirits. The main lesson for today is persistence in the life of sanctification. When unclean spirit is cast out of life of a child of God through the Word and/or Sacrament of Baptism, the life of discipleship assumes a progress. It doesn’t mean that we constantly will go uphill only. For sure, there will be setbacks, but a Christian should keep his house filled with Holy Spirit to withstand attacks of the evil ones.

I am not talking about some kinda mystical non-biblical experiences. There are four main exercises any Christian should repeat on a regular basis. The Book of Acts 2:42 describes the regular life of a believer, following a four aspects pattern: being in the Word (teaching of the apostles), in fellowship with other believers, a regular participation in the Sacrament of the Altar (breaking of the bread), and in prayers.

As Jesus was teaching on the unclean spirits, a women raised a voice with a glorification of a mother who raised Him. In stead of concentrating on His family, He points out the true blessing: “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” (Lk. 11:28). Assuming Jesus was speaking with His disciples and the crowd in Judea on Hebrew or Aramean, the root shamar – to keep means not only keeping or observance, but also a guarding. We are encouraged by Jesus Himself to defend a purity of the Word proclaimed and practiced in our churches, in our homes, and in our lives.