For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
It sounds like a prayer in the night. I often pray at night: when I’m settling down to sleep, when I can’t sleep, when I awaken in the night. If I fall asleep in the middle of my prayer time, that’s OK. God is still there, watching, working, keeping the world turning.
I wonder how it sounded when David or his musicians played and sang this psalm 3000 years ago?
What I Learned: I could afford to search my heart and be silent, instead of nursing my anger and hurt feelings and rehearsing the real and imagined offenses I’ve experienced and what I wish I’d said or done in response. “Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.”