Night is often a special time. When silence sets in, the light fades and the hustle and bustle of the day fades away, the heart comes face to face with itself. Sometimes peaceful, sometimes restless. Thoughts can go round and round, anxieties re-emerge, or on the contrary, a gentle tiredness invites you to rest. Reading the Bible before bed is like putting your head in God's hands. It's a way of saying: "I haven't mastered everything today, but I entrust to you what I am. Here are five verses that can become evening companions, to find peace and rest in God's presence.
Sleep in peace - Psalm 4:9
"I will lie down and immediately fall asleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
This verse is one of the most beautiful evening prayers. It expresses total abandonment. Like a child who falls asleep reassured in his parent's arms, we can close our eyes knowing that God is watching. Even if the day has been difficult, even if certain things remain unresolved, he is there. And his presence is enough to fall asleep in peace.
The Lord gives sleep to those he loves - Psalm 127:2
"He gives as much to his beloved while they sleep."
This verse reminds us that we don't have to do everything in our own strength. Even while we sleep, God is at work. He takes care of us, he continues his work. We don't have to be restless or in control. God works in the silence of the night, and he watches over those he loves.
Surrendering our worries to God - 1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your cares on him, for he himself takes care of you."
Night is sometimes the time when worries grow louder. But this verse invites us to lay them down, one by one, in God's hands. He doesn't ask us to carry the weight of the world alone. He takes care of it. This inner gesture of handing over can become an evening ritual: entrusting our thoughts, our fears, our burdens, and welcoming peace in return.
God surrounds us even at night - Psalm 139:11-12
"If I say, 'At least the darkness will cover me; the night becomes light around me'; even the darkness is not dark to you; the night shines like the day, and the darkness like the light."
This verse is a profound consolation. Even in the night, even in the darkness, God sees clearly. Nothing escapes him. He is there, close by, even in our darkest nights, even when sleep is slow in coming. His inner light can warm the heart, soothe fears, and bring forth sweet confidence.
Deep peace for the night - Isaiah 26:3
"To him who is steadfast in his purpose, you provide peace, peace, because he trusts in you."
Before going to sleep, this verse can become a prayer. God assures peace to those who rely on him, to those who choose trust. It is not a question of having understood everything, but simply of turning towards him, of resting in him. This inner peace, gentle and silent, is the most beautiful of cradles.
Conclusion
Reading God's Word before bed is like opening a window on heaven. These verses can be read aloud, meditated on in silence, or prayed in the secret of the heart. They are there to remind us that we are never alone, even in the night. God watches over us, God protects us, God comforts us. And in his arms, rest becomes more than sleep: it becomes an act of faith, a moment of trust, a breath of love.
