In peace I will lie down and at once fall asleep, because You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
The psalm ends with an image of peaceful rest. The troubles around David may not yet have been fully resolved, but his heart had become calm in the presence of God. He could lie down and sleep, because he did not tie his safety to guards, walls, or favorable circumstances. The words “You alone, O Lord” emphasize the exclusive direction of his trust. Human means can be useful, but final security is from the Lord. Sleep is an act of faith, because a person gives up the attempt to control everything and entrusts himself to God’s protection. This verse is especially comforting in times of anxiety and uncertainty. Peace does not mean the absence of danger, but the awareness of God’s presence in the midst of danger. The believer can end the day by placing his worries into the Lord’s hands. He who never sleeps keeps the one who relies on Him and gives peace even in the heaviest nights.