How to have a sound sleep? (Ps 3-4)

King David, who wrote the two psalms, was fleeing from Absalom (his son) who conspired with others to take over his throne. Indeed, there are many things in life that can make us fearful and anxious, thus depriving us of precious sleep.


David mentions some of these things:

1. People seeking to do us harm (3:1,6)

2. Naysayers (3:2; 4:6)

3. Distressful situations (4:1)

4. People who seek falsehood (4:2)

Despite the crisis, David was able to declare:

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” (3:5)

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep. For you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (4:8)

Why this confident proclamation?

1. His positive confession and trust in God (3:3; 4:5)

2. His deliverance comes from the LORD (3:7-8)

3. His remembrance of God’s past mercies (4:1)

4. His meditation and worship of God (4:4-5)

Notice that David was as human as all of us. He was angry at what had transpired but he chose to be still before God (4:4). He chose to pray and cry out to God for salvation (3:7; 4:1) and not allow the circumstances to make himself sick with worry. Because of that, he enjoyed God’s blessing of a good night’s sleep (Ps 127:2).

Are you troubled by sleeplessness? Then begin to follow David’s example.