Midras Mazmur 4:5: Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Midrash Tehillim & Ruth Rabbah

(Fol. 5a) R. Levi b. Chama, in the name of Simon b. Lakish said: "At all times let man stir up his good inclination against the evil inclination), for it is said (Ps. 4, 5.) Tremble, and sin not. If he conquers it (the evil inclination) it is well, but if he does not, then he should study the Torah; for we read, (Ib.) Commune with your heart. If it goes away, then it is well, but if not he should then read the Sh'm'a; for it is said (Ib.) Upon your bed. If he conquers it, then it is well, but if not, he should then remind himself of the day of death, for it is written. And be still Selah (to the end)." R. Isaac said: "Whoever reads the Sh'm'a when on his bed is considered [protected] as if he were holding a two-edged sword in his hand, for it is written (Ps. 149, 6.) The exalted praises (of God) are in their mouths and the two-edged sword in their hands." How does he infer this? Mar Zutra and according to others, R. Ashi, said: "From the beginning of that passage (Ib. ib. 5.) Let the pious be joyful in glory; let them, sing aloud upon their beds; and it is written after this The exalted praise of God is in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hands." Furthermore, said R. Isaac: Whoever reads the Sh'm'a on his bed [before sleep], will cause the departure of all evil spirits; for it is said (Job 5, 7.) And the sons of fire take up their flight. By Uf (flight) is meant nothing else but the Torah, as it is said (Pr. 23, 5.) When thou letteth merely thine eyes fly over it (i. e., if thou learneth the Torah superficially), it is no more. And reshef (fire) means nothing else but evil spirits; as it is said (Deu. 32, 24.) Devoured with burning heat and with bitter deadly disease."

"Be angry and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, 'Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!' You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:4-9, ESV)

"Be angry, but do not sin." Rabbi Acha said, "Let your inclination anger you, but do not let it cause you to sin." And Rav said, "Deny your inclination and do not let it cause you to sin, so that you will not come to sin." It was taught in the name of Rabbi Acha bar Yaakov, "The mikveh of Israel is the Lord. Just as this mikveh purifies the impure, so too does the Holy One, blessed be He, purify Israel." And who should go to whom? It can be said that the impure should go to the mikveh and immerse themselves in it. Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, "When you pray, pray in the synagogue in your city. And if you cannot go to the synagogue in your city, pray in your own house. And if you cannot speak, think in your heart." This is what is written, "Say in your hearts upon your beds, and be still, Selah." Rabbi Yudan said, "As long as you remain silent about the sin that you have committed, you are forgiven. And if you do so, see what is written afterwards, 'Sacrifice sacrifices of righteousness.'" I consider it as if you have built an altar and offered many sacrifices on it. The word "sacrifice" is not written, but "sacrifices." It was taught that one who recites the Shema in the synagogue during the morning service has fulfilled his obligation, but in the evening service he should not leave until he returns home and lies down on his bed. What is the reason? To avoid harmful spirits. And one should not say other things that are not true and reliable. These are truly reliable matters concerning the morning service, as Rabbi Zeira bar Abba said, "There are three smacks: one for leaning [on the animal to be sacrificed], one for slaughter, as it says, 'And he shall lean and slaughter' [Leviticus 1:5], one for washing [the hands], a blessing, and one for redemption, a prayer."