Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O men, will you turn my glory to shame?

How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah.

But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;

The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

Be angry, and do not sin.

Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And put your trust in the LORD.

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?”

LORD, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.

You have put gladness in my heart,

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4. By David.

So.

My dad used to quote me the last verse of this psalm as a bedtime prayer when I was small.

The classical Christian school where I teach had selected this psalm for memory work for the month of October.

And then …

We hear of atrocities in Israel, committed against Israelites. Every single verse of this psalm, written by David millennia ago, instantly becomes 100 times more relevant and poignant.

When I hear about mothers and babies murdered, reading that last verse out loud is almost more than I can handle.

Let’s all use this psalm to pray for them.