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Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psalm 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me: becausehe is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Job 11:18,19
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt digabout thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety…

for

Leviticus 25:18,19
Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety…

Leviticus 26:5
And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

Deuteronomy 12:10
Butwhen ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, andwhen he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;

for You alone, O LORD
The exclusivity of trust in the LORD highlights the monotheistic belief central to Israelite faith, distinguishing it from the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies a personal relationship with God, who is both covenant-keeping and faithful. This trust in God alone is echoed in passages likeIsaiah 26:3, which speaks of perfect peace for those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in Him.

make me dwell in safety
The concept of dwelling in safety is a recurring theme in the Psalms, often associated with God's protection and provision. In the historical context, safety was a significant concern due to frequent conflicts and threats from neighboring tribes and nations. The assurance of safety provided by God is a testament to His role as a divine protector, akin to the shepherd imagery found inPsalm 23. This safety is not merely physical but also spiritual, pointing to the ultimate security found in God's presence, as seen in the promise of eternal security in passages likeJohn 10:28-29.

“I will lie down” shows a deliberate, personal decision to end the day in faith rather than in fret. David is surrounded by tension (Psalm 4:1, 2), yet he chooses rest.

• The action is intentional—he is not forced into it, he embraces it.

•Psalm 3:5 echoes the same settled resolve: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me”.

• The step from standing in struggle to lying down in trust illustrates1 Peter 5:7, casting all anxiety on the Lord because He cares.

Sleep follows surrender. “Sleep in peace” is literal, not metaphorical. David expects actual, undisturbed slumber.

•Proverbs 3:24 promises, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet”.

•Isaiah 26:3 ties peace to a steadfast mind fixed on God.

•Philippians 4:6-7 applies the same truth: prayer replaces worry, and “the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

• Peaceful rest is God’s gracious gift, even when circumstances remain unchanged (Psalm 127:2).

The reason for calm is exclusive: “You alone.” No secondary safety nets.

•Psalm 62:1-2: “In God alone my soul finds rest… He alone is my rock and my salvation”.

•Jeremiah 17:7-8 contrasts the cursed reliance on flesh with the blessed man who trusts the LORD.

• Even faithful friends or strong armies cannot guarantee security (Psalm 33:16-17); only the LORD can.

The closing phrase grounds David’s confidence in God’s active protection.

• “Safety” includes body and soul (Psalm 91:1-2).

•Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”.

•2 Thessalonians 3:3 assures believers today, “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one”.

•Proverbs 1:33 captures the promise: “Whoever listens to Me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil”.

Psalm 4:8 paints a nightly routine of faithful rest: choose to lie down, expect real peace, rely on God alone, and enjoy His safeguarding presence. The verse invites every believer to end each day with the same quiet confidence, knowing the Lord still keeps watch.

Thou, Lord, only.--The authority of all the ancient Versions, including the LXX. and Vulg., is for taking the adverb with the predicate, not with the subject as in the Authorised Version: "Thou, Jehovah, makest me to dwell alone in safety." We see fromJeremiah 49:31,Micah 7:14, that isolation from other nations was, in the Hebrew view, a guarantee against danger. This certainly favours the view that the poem is national rather than individual.

For the concluding verses of the psalm Luther had a great affection, and desired Ludvig Teuffel to set them as the words of a requiem for him.

Parallel Commentaries ...