(“How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep”)

Psalm 4:1-8, NASU

Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

Heavenly Father, Your word tells us You “neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4b) – therefore You are always “awake” (as it were) to protect Your people and/or “supply all (our) needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

You have made us in such a way that we need sleep – our minds and bodies need rest – yet we confess we don’t always get the rest we need. Often times we have no one to blame but ourselves – because we don’t use our time wisely – because we don’t take care of ourselves the way we should – or don’t take advantage of the opportunities to rest and/or sleep when we have them.

Sometimes, though, it’s a matter of our lack of trust in You, which comes back to bite us (as it were) by our not being able to get a good night’s rest.

Father, help us learn to trust You like David did – to trust You even in the midst of difficult circumstances – so we can truthfully say: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). We ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen.

(A) COUNTING SHEEP DOESN’T ALWAYS HELP

(1) For years we’ve been told the average person needs between six and eight hours of sleep a night to maintain good health and/or be at their best. But, we don’t always get it – especially in a fallen world. We all know what it’s like – we’re ready to go to sleep – we want to go to sleep – we try to go to sleep – but we can’t. Or, we manage to drift off – only to wake up in the middle of the night and find we can’t get back to sleep.

(2) Most people have experienced sleeplessness at one time or another. In fact, it’s estimated that 30-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia – while 10% have what’s called “chronic insomnia”.¹

Sleeplessness is such a common problem people have actually written songs about it. For example, an old country song made famous by Ernest Tubb in the early 1940’s has a line that says: “I’m walkin’ the floor over you; I can’t sleep a wink, that is true …”

Another song, written by Irving Berlin for the 1954 movie “White Christmas, offers this advice: “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”

In the 1960’s, Bob Dylan wrote: “Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me, I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to.”

A more contemporary song writer recently penned these words: “I’m not sleeping now that you’re gone, I can’t help feeling I did you wrong. And I need healing, it’s been so long; and the night goes, on and on and on and on.”

(3) Helping people try and get a good night’s sleep has become big-business – hence, there are numerous sleep aids and/or medications to choose from – while mattress companies advertise their product will help us get the rest we need.

All kinds of sleep aid products can be found on the Internet – from something called a “PillowPositive”, which is supposed to prevent snoring – to a satin sleeping mask called a “PeeperSleeper”.²

Then there’s “The Sleep Like A Baby Sleep System,” which claims to utilize four natural principles, including Gentle Acupressure (not acupuncture) applied with an easy to use head band – Sound Reduction, achieved with ultra soft easy to use ear plugs that are not noticed or felt when worn – Reduction of Outside Visual Interference achieved with a simple eye cover (no doubt similar to the satin “PeeperSleeper”) – and a Relaxing Aroma that has been tested by aroma therapy experts and proven to cause maximum relaxation.² (It should be noted, however, that there is a “disclaimer” on the first page of this website.)

(4) The Bible mentions several instances and/or circumstances where people have had trouble sleeping.

For example, the sixth chapter of the Book of Esther says that, “During (the) night … king (Ahasuerus) (for some unknown reason) could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king” (c.f. Esther 6:1). Normally this would have been a sure-fire cure for insomnia. In this case, however, (as those familiar with the story know) the king’s insomnia was part of God’s sovereign plan to preserve His people from a wicked plot to have them exterminated.

In the sixth chapter of the Book of Daniel, we read about another king who couldn’t sleep. In this instance, King Darius had been tricked into passing a law that resulted in Daniel (the most loyal and trustworthy member of his administration) being thrown into a lion’s den – and, since no law of the Medes and Persians could be rescinded (not even by a king), even when the evil motives of Daniel’s enemies were uncovered, there was nothing Darius could do to keep the sentence from being carried out. So we read that, “the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him” (c.f. Daniel 6:18).

In the Book of Ecclesiastes we’re told, “the sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 5:12) … while in another place Jacob told Laban that taking care of his uncle’s flocks and herds for twenty years had been no picnic, saying in part: “by day the heat consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes” (c.f. Genesis 31:40).

(5) There are numerous reasons why people can’t sleep and/or get a good night’s rest – including age (as in getting older), and/or serious health problems. Certain medications can contribute to sleeplessness – as will a major change in our routine and/or environment. Too much caffeine during the day can be a problem for some – while too much pizza right before bedtime can be a problem for others. The death of a spouse or other loved one can rob us of the rest we need – and, so can marriage problems. A barking dog, or some other irritating noise, can result in a sleepless night – but interestingly enough, so can boredom.³

(6) Of all the reasons given for sleeplessness, however, the one people mention most often is stress and/or anxiety, otherwise known as “worry”.³ Mankind is capable of worrying about anything including money, work, the kids, and/or our health. We worry about what the future holds, and/or what happened in the past – we worry about the war in Iraq, the economy, and our personal safety – some of you may be worried about whether our church has the financial resources to carry out the proposed building project. You name it, and someone’s losing sleep over it because of worry – and sometimes that “someone” is us!

(7) In this morning’s text David said he was able to “BOTH lie down AND sleep” because He trusted the “Lord” would take care of him (c.f. Psalm 4:8). I’m not suggesting this text is the cure for all our sleepless nights – after all, if caffeine is the problem the obvious cure is to stop ingesting caffeine – if our medication is keeping us awake at night, then we need to find a different medication – and, if our problem is a barking dog, then the solution is to shoot the dog (just kidding) – after all, Scripture does encourage us to use our heads once in a while (c.f. Luke 10:36; Romans 12:3). BUT, if stress, anxiety, and/or worry is the culprit, then this morning’s Scripture lesson does have something to say about how to go from sleeplessness to getting the good night’s sleep we need.

(B) A BETTER WAY THAN COUNTING SHEEP

(1) The first thing we notice about Psalm Four is that its title (at least in the NASU) calls it an “Evening Prayer of Trust in God”. This UNinspired designation has been around for a long time – and is based on the last verse⁴ (which is our text), where David said: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” (c.f. Psalm 4:8). Charles Spurgeon opened his commentary on this Psalm by saying: “May the choice words of the 8^th verse be our sweet song of rest as we retire to our repose.” In other words, this psalm has long been considered a good one to read and/or on which to meditate before we go to bed – especially if our mind and heart are still agitated by the day’s events.

(2) The second thing we notice about Psalm Four is that David (to use a contemporary phrase) hasn’t had a particularly “good day.”

(a) For example, in verse one he indicates he’s in “distress” (c.f. Psalm 4:1). However, this appears to be mental or emotional rather than physical⁶ – for he goes on to say in verse two that his “honor (has been) reproach(ed)” by men who “love what is worthless and aim at deception” (c.f. Psalm 4:2) – i.e. his reputation has come under attack, and/or his “righteousness” (c.f. Psalm 4:1) has been called into question. Hence, one writer said Psalm Four “reflects the anguish of the innocent and oppressed, or of the righteous sufferer”⁷ – not that David was completely innocent (for no one, except Jesus, is without any sin whatsoever) – rather, he was innocent of the particular charges and/or accusations being leveled against him by his enemies.⁷

(b) Later the Book of Proverbs says: “pleasant words are (like) a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (c.f. Proverbs 16:24) – in other words, they do our heart good, and/or make our labor seem worthwhile. On the other hand, it also says: “the words of a whisperer … go down into the innermost parts of the body” (c.f. Proverbs 18:8) – in other words, what people say about us (especially when its negative) can sit there in our heart or mind and fester, thereby causing us to lose sleep. Hence, the Book of Proverbs also says: “reckless words pierce like a sword …” (c.f. Proverbs 12:18, NIV) – and that: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue …” (c.f. Proverbs 18:21a) – in this case, “death” in the form of inward agitation and/or loss of sleep.

(3) The third thing we notice is where David turned for help when his enemy’s words threatened to rob him of his sleep and rest. Look at verse one: “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer” (c.f. Psalm 4:1).

(a) Suppose you are at work, and a secretary down the hall stops by your desk and says, “Do you know what so-and-so said about you yesterday?” – and then proceeds to pour out the story, perhaps even embellishing it a little.⁴ After she’s finished, you feel terrible – and find it hard to concentrate on your work for the rest of the day. When something like that happens, how do you handle it? Where do you turn for help so you don’t lose sleep over it?

Or, suppose you are forced to make a particularly hard decision at work – one you know is necessary, but is also going to be unpopular. Afterward, unflattering rumors about you start circulating – and/or co-workers accuse you of being unfair. What do you do? Whom do you tell? Who do you turn to for help, so you can still sleep at night?

Many might turn to a friend or their spouse, in hopes of getting a little sympathy and/or reassurance. Others might retaliate with a slander campaign of their own⁴ – or at least publicly defend themselves at every opportunity.

As far as we know, David didn’t do any of these things. As James Boice said: “Instead of turning to friends for sympathy or even attacking his enemies, David turned to God (in prayer)”,⁴ saying: “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer” (c.f. Psalm 4:1).

(b) The phrase, “You have relieved me in my distress” (c.f. Psalm 4:1b), refers to the past rather than the present – in other words, David built his case (as it were) by drawing upon God’s past mercy as the basis for helping him in the present.⁵ To put it another way, its as though David said: “Lord, You have come to my aid in the past; please come to my aid now” – or, as Isaac Watts once wrote in that familiar hymn: “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come”.⁸

(c) From this we learn that God’s covenant faithfulness to His people in the past gives us good reason to believe He will come to our aid in our present difficulties. David had found relief from the sting of past slanders by turning to the Lord – hence, it should come as no surprise that he sought similar relief from Him in the present. Furthermore, the fact he actually did find relief in the present is underscored by the words in our text, where David said: “In peace (i.e. peace of mind) I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” (c.f. Psalm 4:8).

(4) The fourth thing we notice is how kindly David dealt with those whose words (c.f. Psalm 4:2) were causing his “distress” (c.f. Psalm 4:1), and threatening to rob him of his sleep. Look at verses three through five: “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord” (c.f. Psalm 4:3-5).

(a) We don’t have time to look at these verses in depth this morning – so we’ll have to settle for a couple of brief observations instead. First, David didn’t shy away from the truth – rather, he gave his enemies a restrained warning – namely, that he (David) was one of God’s people, which meant the Lord would hear and answer his prayers (c.f. Psalm 4:3).

James Boice says this is something “the enemies of the righteous do NOT want to hear. It refers to election, which they hate. In David’s case, it was a reminder he had become king by God’s sovereign choice, rather than man’s. Therefore, he could not be attacked with impunity.”⁹

“In our case,” Boice continues, “David’s warning is a reminder we have been brought into the company of God’s people by His choice and His actions, rather than ours. That too is a widely hated doctrine – but true nevertheless. Furthermore, it follows from that doctrine that if God ‘has set apart the godly man for Himself’, He is not going to turn around and abandon him at some later date. Rather, He will stick by him, having promised to ‘complete the good work He began in him (c.f. Philippians 1:6). The ungodly need to be reminded of this,” says Boice, “because it means their attacks on God’s covenant people will not ultimately succeed.”⁹

(b) At this point we may wonder how this helped David deal with his “distress” (c.f. Psalm 4:1) – how did this restrained warning to his enemies help David get a good night’s sleep? Boice suggests that in the process of reminding his enemies the Lord protects His people, David realized afresh that what he was saying applied to him – i.e. that he was one of God’s people – that God had chosen him and/or “set him apart” (c.f. Psalm 4:3) – that God was not going to ultimately abandoned one of His own.⁹ Hence, his prayer for “relief” in verse one (c.f. Psalm 4:1) turns into a prayer of faith and confidence in verse three, saying: “the Lord hears when I call to Him” (c.f. Psalm 4:3) – and also in our text, where David concluded his prayer by saying: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” (c.f. Psalm 4:8). To put it another way, knowing who we are in Christ helps us get a good night’s sleep, in part, because we know God has promised He will never abandon His redeemed people (c.f. Matthew 28:20b; Hebrews 13:5b).

(c) David continued to speak kindly to his enemies in verse four by exhorting them to “tremble, and … not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still” (c.f. Psalm 4:4). Essentially David warned his enemies to “tremble” BEFORE GOD, and “stop sinning” against Him – in this instance, by attacking one of His chosen people.

Elsewhere, Scripture says the wicked love to plan their evil schemes at night while laying in bed (c.f. Psalm 36:4). Here David says his enemies would be better off using that time to “reflect” on what they’ve been doing, and/or how offensive their attacks on one of God’s “godly” ones is to Him – hence, he says: “Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still” (c.f. Psalm 4:4). Another way to put is to say that in the long run, that kind of reflecting would be extremely beneficial to his enemies, even if meant they lose several good night’s of sleep.

(d) Moving on to verse five, we find David exhorting his enemies to “offer sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord” (c.f. Psalm 4:5).

Salvation has always been by grace through the God-given ability to exercise faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ (c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9) – this was true even in Old Testament times (c.f. Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4b). Hence, what we have here in the fifth verse is the Old Testament way of saying: “repent and believe in the gospel” (c.f. Mark 1:15).

We see, then, that David showed his enemies the greatest kindness of all by exhorting them to respond positively to the message of the Gospel! And, since whether people are saved or not is ultimately in God’s sovereign hands, David could get a good night’s sleep knowing he had done what was required of him, and/or all he could do (as opposed to having a guilty conscience keep him awake)!¹⁰

(5) Finally, as happens in many psalms, the more David prays the more his spirit is revived – the more he prays the more “relief” he finds (Psalm 4:1) – the more he prays (even though this psalm is relatively short), the better prepared he is, not only to “lie down”, but to actually be able to “sleep” (c.f. Psalm 4:8). In this instance, the transformation starts in verse six and climaxes in verse eight (c.f. Psalm 4:6-8).

(a) In verse six David quotes his critics, who, among other things, were saying: “Who will show us any good?” (c.f. Psalm 4:6a) – i.e. “Where is God when we REALLY need Him?” – “You say God helped you in the past; but where is He now?” To use a contemporary phrase, “What’s He done for you/us lately?”

In some ways the question is similar to one asked in Psalm One Hundred Fifteen: “Why should the nations say, ‘Where … is their God?’” – to which the psalmist answers by proclaiming God’s sovereignty, saying: “our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (c.f. Psalm 115:2-3).

David knows help is on the way – hence, he prays: “Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord” (c.f. Psalm 4:6b). The “light of God’s countenance” (or face) has to do with His blessing and/or favor – hence, a familiar benediction found in the Book of Numbers, known as Aaron’s blessing,¹¹ says: “The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace” (c.f. Numbers 6:24-26).

We see, then, that blessing, protection, grace and peace belong to those upon whom the Lord “lifts the light of His countenance” (c.f. Psalm 4:6b). Ordinarily, such people ought to have no trouble getting a good night’s sleep – regardless of their circumstances.

(b) The transformation is seen even more clearly in verse seven, where David says: “You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound” (c.f. Psalm 4:7) – in other words, David got more joy from being the recipient of God’s favor than men do when they reap an abundant harvest.¹¹

You almost have to be a farmer to appreciate the analogy – for nothing brings a farmer more earthly joy than when he’s able to harvest a bumper crop. That crop gives him a sense of security – it means there will be money in the bank – it means he will be able to provide for his family, feed his livestock, pay his bills, and maybe even enjoy some of life’s luxuries – in short, in means he can rest easy at night.

David had an agricultural background, so he knew first hand about the “gladness” an “abundance of grain and new wine” can bring to a man’s “heart”. Nevertheless, he counted the “gladness” associated with being one of God’s people to be far greater – indeed, it was the latter that enabled him to sleep at night more than the former!

(c) And that leads us back to our text, which is the climax of this particular psalm – where David says: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” (c.f. Psalm 4:8).

I will lie down and sleep – not because I don’t have any enemies, but because “the light of God’s countenance” gives me “peace” of mind – not because I don’t have any “distress” in my life, but because my God has put His “gladness in my heart” – not because everyone loves me and speaks well of me, and has my best interests in mind, but because I have a God who loves me and has promised to never leave me or forsake me.

Here, then, is the biblical key to getting a good night’s sleep, regardless of our circumstances – not by counting sheep – but by trusting the Shepherd!

Heavenly Father, give us the same calm repose You gave David – that like him, we might lie down in peace each evening and get a good night’s sleep,¹⁰ knowing You are guarding us and keeping us safe. For we ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen.