SURROUNDED BY LOVE

1    O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.

The Psalmist wants God to be aware of his need.

2    Listen to my cry for help, my King, and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.

Here he is Asking God to listen and that his focus is only on God

3    Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Each morning means a consistent,

constant cry with an expectancy (positive outlook).

4    O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.

At times,

I have felt God wanted me to go through pain and suffering,

but here He says He has no desire to see me hurting, or you

5    Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.

The overbearing self-righteous person will not inhabit His presence

6    You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.

God will tear down those who deceive

 
7    Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
       I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.

Permission to enter and worship

 
8    Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.

The Psalmist wants God to lead,

because the psalmist knows it is God’s job to lead and our job to follow

9    My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery

The flattering words of an enemy are contaminated.

10   O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

The works of the enemy will be caught in their own traps

11   But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

Rejoice, sing joyful praises and you will be protected by your God

12   For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.

SIMPLY YOU MATTER AND ARE SURROUNDED BY HIS LOVE

Psalm 4  Instructions in Hard times?
 
1 Answer me when I call to you,
O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
   Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Ask what you want when troubles come your way

2 How long will you people ruin my reputation?
How long will you make groundless accusations?
How long will you continue your lies?

   The world will try to ruin reputation, accuse, and lie.

Interlude
3  You can be sure of this:
The Lord set apart the godly for himself
The Lord will answer when I call to him.

But one thing we know, we are set apart and God will answer

4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.

While waiting:

1. control emotions
2. meditate on His word
3. remain silent, do not speak the problem

Interlude
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the Lord.

1. Trust the Lord
2. give sacrifices of praise

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, Lord.
The worlds advice: anger, fear, mistrust, and tell problem,

Godly advice: keep silent in prayer and put trust in the Lord.

7 You have given me greater joy than
those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

Remember the joy of salvation and be thankful for all the Lord has done

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord will keep me safe.

Peace at night is knowing and doing all things as the Lord instructs

Simply You Matter in hard times,