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Kretzmann's Popular Commentary

Psalms 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, without further thought of worry, and sleep, immediately drop off-into a refreshing sleep, undisturbed by anxious thoughts; for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety, under the shelter of God's protecting hand the believer is always safe. For a Christian to spend the night in restless worry and forego the pleasure of a refreshing sleep is not only foolish, but may also verge on the sinful, namely, if it is equivalent to forsaking his trust in Jehovah.

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See also Psalms 4:8 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Psalms 4:8. _I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP_] Most men lie down, and most sleep, daily, for without _rest_ and _sleep_ life could not be preserved; but alas! how few lie down in _p...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP - The word “both” here means “at the same time;” that is, I will alike be in peace, and I will lie down and will sleep; I will have a mind at peace (or, in...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    Psalms 4 __ 1. The cry to Jehovah (Psalms 4:1) 2. The warning to the enemies (Psalms 4:4) 3. The assurance of faith (Psalms 4:6)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    IV. AN EVENING HYMN BY A MAN HIGH IN OFFICE WHOSE RULE EXCITES JEALOUSY AND RESISTANCE. The Psalmist begins with an appeal to the God of his righteousness, _i.e._ the God who declares that his case is...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    AND SLEEP. sleep at once. This reference is to 2 Samuel 17:2. See note there. MAKEST. wilt make. SAFETY. confidence. TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. See App-64. UPON NEHILOTH; better, _nehaloth_. concerning...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PSALMS 4 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE The Ideal Levite's Evening Prayer. ANALYSIS Stanza I., Psalms 4:1, New Favour Sought in the Strength of Past Supplies. Stanza II., Psalms 4:2, Expostulation addressed to...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP: FOR THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY._ Both, х_ YACHAD_ (H3162)] - rather, 'at once' So soon as I lie down I shall go to sleep. SLEEP, х_ 'IY...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    4:8 safety. (g-20) Or 'for thou, Jehovah, makest me [although] alone [yet] to dwell,' &c.. see Deuteronomy 33:28 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    This is an evening hymn, and though no occasion is mentioned it may perhaps be referred, like Psalms 3 (its natural companion), to the time of Absalom's revolt, but to a somewhat later stage in the co...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The note of evensong. Read, 'In peace will I both lay me down and sleep.' The whole night's rest is peaceful, because God, the only source of protection, is on the Psalmist's side....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Psalms 1:41 _GORDON CHURCHYARD_ Words in boxes are from the Bible. The notes explain some of the words with a *star by them. Tap the * before a word to show an explanation. The translated Bible tex...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    BOTH. — Better, _and at once._ So the LXX. and Vulg.: “At the very moment.” (Comp. Isaiah 42:14.) This, too, is the meaning of “withal,” used to render the same Hebrew word in Psalms 141:10. THOU, LOR...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    _[Psalms 4:9]_ בְּ שָׁלֹ֣ום יַחְדָּו֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה וְ...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Psalms 4:1 Psalms 3:1; Psalms 4:1 are a pair. They are similar in expression (my glory, there be many which say, I laid me down and slept) in the psalmist's situation, and in structure (as indicated b...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    MORNING AND EVENING PRAYERS Psalms 3:1; Psalms 4:1 These psalms probably date from David's flight before Absalom, 2 Samuel 16:1. It is the perfection of trust to be able to sleep when our foes are ma...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is a song of the evening. The general circumstances out of which it rises are the same as those of the previous psalm. Now, however, the day into which the singer marched with confidence is over....

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, (l) only makest me dwell in safety. (l) This word in Hebrew may be referred to God, as it is here translated, or to David, signifying that...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    By. Hebrew and St. Augustine, "From the time of their corn and wine" (Calmet) gathering. I rejoiced "more" than those who live in the greatest affluence, which is nothing but vanity. No mention is mad...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Happy and gracious conclusion of every truly regenerate soul, convinced of an interest in Christ, and a personal union with him. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell safely. Isaiah 32:18 REFLECTIONS R...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    He concludes, by stating, that as he is protected by the power of God, he enjoys as much security and quiet as if he had been defended by all the garrisons on earth. Now, we know, that to be free from...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Psalms 4 differs in this respect from Psalms 3, of which we shall see other examples, that it is not simple confidence, but appeals to righteousness against the sons of men, who turn all the glory tha...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP,.... Signifying, that he had such a calmness and serenity of mind, amidst all his troubles, that he could not only lay himself down in great peace, and much...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Ver. 8. _I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep_] Heb. In peace together will I lie down and sleep; t...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _I will lay me down in peace_ In tranquillity of mind, resting securely upon God's promises, and the conduct of his wise and gracious providence. _For thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety_ I...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    6-8 Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good meat, good drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are all these w...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    BOTH: this word relates to the two following verbs; as soon as I am laid down, I will quietly compose myself to sleep; whereas many lie down upon their beds, and cannot sleep through distracting cares...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Psalms 4:8 both H3162 down H7901 (H8799) peace H7965 sleep H3462 (H8799) alone H910 LORD H3068 dwell...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘In peace will I both lay me down, and sleep, For you YHWH alone make me dwell in safety.' David finishes with his declaration of full confidence in YHWH. The final battle is not yet over, but as he...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Psalms 4:8 The entire rest and tranquillity of God's faithful servants, when they lay them down on their bed at night, is beautifully expressed in the words of the text. "I will lay me down," says Dav...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Psalms 4 I. Everywhere, in the history of the human heart, these two things are found in the hours of our bitter pain: unfathomable desire and want of something more than earth or its love can give, a...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Psalms 4:1. _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._ Good men want to be heard when they pray, they are...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: David's exhortation to others to serve God. CHARACTERS: God, David. CONCLUSION: The godly are chosen, and by distinguished grace set apart and separated from men, all the longings of the s...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Psalms 4:3. _Him that is godly._ חסיךְ _chasik,_ merciful. The literal reading is by far the best, because it designates godliness by the fruits of piety. Psalms 4:4. _Stand in awe._ St. Paul here fol...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness._ A GENTLE REMONSTRANCE This Psalm is mainly a gentle, earnest remonstrance with antagonists, seeking to win them to a better mind. The cry for an answ...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety._ SIGNS OF A QUIET SPIRIT In the text are two subjects. David’s privilege or happiness itself. The ground...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 4:1. This psalm expresses quiet trust amid troubling circumstances, combining the categories of individual lament and confidence....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    NIGHT THOUGHTS _Introduction_ “The Psalmist prays God to deliver him from present as from past distresses (Psalms 4:2). 1. He assures the haters of his regal dignity that God bestowed it, and will...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION AGAIN the psalm has a title, "To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David;" literally, "to the_ _superintendent or foreman," which, in this instance, would be the choir-leader, or ...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    The fourth psalm is to the chief musician on Neginoth. Now Neginoth is a stringed instrument, and it is mentioned in connection with several of the Psalms--3, 5, 53, 54, 60, 66, and 75. So it is some...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Thessalonians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Deuteronomy 12:10;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    A PSALM OF SUPPLICATION Psalms 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The prayer of Cornelius. As an introductory to the study of Psalms 4:1, which sets forth a great prayer of David, we thought we would give s...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    In peace — In tranquility of mind, resting securely upon God's promises....

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