O Holy One, Let Your Face Shine on Us
Psalm 4 is an evening meditation, a prayer before retiring at night. The refrain and first verses emphasize the reliable quality of the covenant and the God who made it. The psalmist ends the day by giving thanks for the wonders of the day past and trust in God’s mercy and to ease one’s anxiety as one prepares to retire. Knowing God’s great love, we can sleep peacefully, confident that the one who raised Jesus overcomes evil and will ever be with us to transform danger, sorrow and suffering into grace. You might want to say this prayer tonight.
Answer when I call, faithful God.
You cleared away my troubles;
be good to me, listen to my prayer.
Look! God astounds believers,
the Almighty listens when I call.
O God, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness in my heart.
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you, O God, keep me in your care.
[verses adapted from The Psalter © 1995, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.]