Let the smile of your face shine on us, LORD.
You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine.
I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
/Psalm 4:6-8 / NLT
Some while ago i came across these verses of the Psalm 4. I was reading Good News translation and verse 6. says: There are many who pray: "Give us more blessings, O Lord. Look on us with kindness!" and in next verse David sings: "But the joy that you have given me is more than they will ever have with all their grain and wine." I thought, 'what a wonderful contrast'. I thought - blessing from God could be like well being, having all you need for life - clothing, food, health. And this Psalm also answers that, that some people have joy in the blessing itself (abundant harvest). But for David joy came from God itself, from his relationships with Him and that Joy surpasses the joy of the blessing. What kind of joy is in my life - joy of the Giver or the joy of the gift?
As i discover verses like these, often i translate them into Latvian language making modern Bible translation for myself. But with trying to translate verses and trying to make translation as accurate as possible to original texts, i compare different translations and even take a look in some commentaries and very often that is when the most interesting part starts - discovering the hidden treasures. And this is a case of this Song of David as well. I suddenly discovered that prayer of David in verse 6, 'Let the smile of your face shine on us, LORD' (Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord (NIV)) is actually words of God to Aaron - how to bless His people in well known benediction (Numbers 6:22-27)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
"May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace"
This is how Aaron and his sons will designate the Israelites as my people, and I myself will bless them."
/Numbers 6:22-27/ New Living
My last thoughts (2-3 years ago) of this benediction prayer before i discovered what i will share next was that God himself said that. That already was quite a revelation to me - God says to say that, meaning that He wants to bless, protect, to shine upon, be gracious, show favor and give peace to His people. Amazing! But it was even more amazing to discover this 'face shining' puzzle which i never understood before.
These benediction words always has been too 'holy' for me to understand, words which i heard pastors speak at the end of the service, words without much meaning behind them (for me). Before i more thought how Holy He is, that His brightness shines on us, but SMILE made the difference and made sense in my understanding of His attitude towards his people. - He is happy for his children, He smiles seeing them, smile is light shining itself, and from smile comes grace and forgiveness. It all is so much understandable, logic and close - Father - children relationships - this all makes sense. Anger does the oposit (with not forgiving, punishing and revenge). Angry face would represent dark face. And that is how many people see God when they don't know Him - His real Heart and Love. But in reality God wishes to 'shine on us' (happiness and joy reflects on face with a SMILE and so its SHINES)
in verse 26. i would like to combine two translations - The Message and New Living "God look you full in the face - and give you his peace"
These words remind me my son Josh (3 1/2) when i put him to sleep. He wants me/us to come in his bed when we put him to sleep/ bed and then after reading book, when i put it away and waiting for him to fall asleep, he - looks full in my face and i am convinced that that is how he is filled with peace and security.
I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.May the Lord smile on you, may He look you full in your face and give you His peace.
