Psalms 4

Here David offers a prayer proclaiming his trust in the Lord. He says the Lord has taken care of him in the past and will continue to do so in the future. He advises us not to be a part of the world and of sin but to put our trust in the Lord.

A plea to the Lord:
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

David's advise to us:
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? 

(Selah.)

The Lord hears the prayers of those who love him and strive to be like him:

3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

In verse 4 David is telling us to turn from our sins. Repent means to turn away. At night, think about the things you have done during the day and then repent of those things that you are not proud of and turn away from them:

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. 

(Selah.)

Offer to the Lord the best of what you have, give him your best effort:

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

Some will wonder and doubt if anything good will come to them, but we need to trust in the Lord:
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Greater happiness comes from the Lord than from a bumper crop:

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

Those who trust in the Lord sleep in peace:

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.