Spurgeon says that Psalm 3 is a "morning psalm" and Psalm 4 is matched with it as an "evening psalm". He wrote a devotional book called "Morning and Evening" to help start and end our days in Gods word. Thinking about the psalms as tied to events and times is helpful. They are not just isolated songs. They are meant to be subject of meditation. And using commentators is not to be discouraged.
Reading Spurgeon, Calvin and Henry, each psalm is divided into sections. Most print versions don't show these divisions. Maybe the printer doesn't want to waste space. But this is one of the nice things about electronic versions. Empty space doesn't cost anything. So V1, v2-5, and v 6-8 are the three sections in this psalm.
To me it seems that v2 is the challenge to those who oppose true religion and its practitioners and 3-5 are warnings to them about how they should change.
But what got my attention was the last verse. Do I close the day with the thought that the Lord alone makes me dwell in safety?
Another example of how a previously created note helped me in prayer. Following is the part of prayer from 4/25 service.
Our Father You are the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. As I look at your faithfulness in the past, I am encouraged to be insistent in my dependence.
Because You have been the God of my righteousness, I know you will be in the future.
Because You have given relief when I was in distress, I know that by your Spirit whom you have poured out on us richly, distress in the future will also be relieved.
Because You have put joy in my heart during difficult times, I know you will continue to do so
Because You have made me dwell in safety in the face of danger, I know you will be my refuge in the future.
Hallowed
O Lord, I see that David knew the importance of honoring what is honorable and not allowing it to be made into an object of scorn and shame.
O Lord, I see that David called out his enemies for loving vain words and seeking after lies. He was bothered by the fact that his own son and his followers would act in this way.
May I not just say the words Hallowed be your Name. May I prayerfully consider the first commandment not to have any gods before you. Cause me to worship and glorify you as You have appointed in your word.
Kingdom/will
I do your will by living out the three answers David describes in response to those who love vain words and seek after lies.
The value of holiness. Lord, You have set apart the godly. Holy Spirit teach me that contentment with godliness is great gain and make me holy through your presence in my life. May I live as one who has been set apart for Your purposes.
The futility of anger and restlessness = As James tells us, Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. May I find my rest only in You.
The blessing of right sacrifices and trusting God. Through the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, I am able to Present my body as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is my spiritual worship.
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