April 4, 2020 – God’s presence and peace
Today, we look at Psalm 4 to see how the psalmist looks to God in prayer and puts their trust in Him. The passage reads:
Psalm 4 – Evening Prayer of Trust in God.
For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.
4 Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.
6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (NASB)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The joy of God’s presence is greater than all the money and belongings one can have
- True joy and peace depend not on circumstances but on God’s protection and provision
- In the care of God, we are safe, at peace, and rest assured that He will hear our prayers
DEEPER EXPOSITION:
CONTEXT: Psalm 4 is closely linked to Psalm 3 in mood and concept. Both speak of the possibility of finding such peace in God’s presence that even when torn by physical and emotional pain, a person may still have restful sleep (Ps 3:5; 4:8). The two psalms, based on the similarities in their expression and structure, may have stemmed from the same crisis. If so, then David may have written Psalm 4 after he spent the night in the midst of danger (cf. 3:1, 5–6). The connection between the two psalms is not certain. This is a lament psalm of the individual, but one in which there is an unusual degree of confidence. To the wicked, there is a proclamation of hope rather than a pronouncement of doom. The message of Psalm 4 is having cried out to God for help, the psalmist warned his enemies not to sin against God by wronging him, because God had set him apart in protective care, a fact that caused him to rejoice in the face of opposition
Psalm 4 is the first of the psalms to have a superscription that focuses on its musical nature. The choir director or “Chief Musician” is a notice that indicates that this psalm is from an early collection of psalms used in temple worship. The “stringed instruments” specifies the musical setting for the psalm.
A Psalm of David serves not only as a notice of authorship,[1] but also as a reminder that the poem was to be sung.[2] The structure of the psalm is as follows: (1) a petition of deliverance (v. 1); (2) an address to the wicked, encouraging them to turn from their sins and to trust in God (vv. 2-5); (3) an assertion that only God is able to provide genuine joy, deep peace, and abiding safety (vv. 6-8).
Verse 1: “O God of my righteousness” can also be translated “O my righteous God.” The phrase has two meanings: (1) only God is righteous; and (2) all of a person’s righteousness is found in God alone. Assuming David is the psalmist in this case, he is facing a pressing need, but his confidence in God remains incredibly strong. He addresses God in terms of His character—His “righteousness.” Then he speaks of God’s earlier saving works in his life: “You have relieved me in my distress.” It is to this God that David directs his prayer.
Verse 2: in contrast with the righteous God, David’s enemies were mere mortals (“sons of men”). The psalmist asked how long they would turn his honor (or glory) into shame with their rebellion and deception (or lies). The incident with Absalom, if this was in David’s mind here, was partly an attempt to tarnish David’s reputation (2 Sam 15:3). The verbs “love” and “seek,” however, point to the desired end and not to the means.
The psalmists often use the words “how long” to question God (cf. Ps 13:1-2). Here they are addressed to the wicked. Also, for the believer, their sense of glory or honor is found in relationship to the Savior.
Verse 3: This verse is the central point of the psalm and the basis for the psalmist’s amazement (v. 2) and his advice (v. 4). Because the Lord had set apart the psalmist in love, God would answer his prayer. David described himself as one of the godly (ḥāsîḏ), an object of God’s covenantal loyal love. God has identified the godly as those who are devoted to God and His ways. He exercises special care over them and listens to their prayers. In the care of God, David was safe and God would hear and respond to his prayers.
Verses 4-5: “Tremble [also translated ‘Be angry’], and do not sin” was cited by Paul in Ephesians to describe “righteous indignation (Eph 4:26). In this case, David exhorts his readers not to let anger or anxiety erode complete trust or faith in the Lord. The only recourse, then, for the wicked was to abandon their sinful plans and become worshipers of the Lord. Diligent souls searching for the Lord would be led to act properly toward David. They would desist from their opposition, that is, they would be silent
Those being addressed by the words, put your “trust in the Lord” are the wicked (Ps. 1:4-6). In this psalm, David calls unbelievers to put their faith in God (Ps 67). Trust in the Lord would result in right (proper) sacrifices, offered with a right spirit (cf. Deut. 33:19; Ps. 51:19). If Absalom was in David’s mind, then David was referring here to the empty sacrifices by which Absalom and his cohorts sought to enhance their cause (2 Sam. 15:12). A man of faith would yield in obedience to the Lord
Verse 6: This verse probably refers to the “many” discontented people following David. They would follow anyone who could show them good prospects. Although our lives are often filled with uncertainty, there is never uncertainty with God. “Light of Your countenance” recalls the Aaronic benediction (Num 6:26) and indicates God’s favor. Those on whom the Lord shines His face are truly blessed. David’s answer to their question was a prayer for blessing (Num. 6:24–26); that God would cause His face to shine on them (i.e., bestow His favor; cf. Pss. 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; 119:135). God would satisfy their complaint, as He had done so often in Israel’s history.
Verse 7: The joy and contentment God gives by trusting Him transcends the joy of the harvest. Agricultural produce, the result of abundant rain on fertile soil, was a blessing of God on His people. But there is something greater than full barns and overflowing cisterns – the joy of God’s presence
Verse 8: Even in distress and away from the visible evidence of God’s goodness, he enjoyed peace and safety in his God (on sleep; cf. 3:5). The peace God gives is far from a relaxation technique. It is a peace that enables an anxious person to lie down and sleep (cf. Ps 3:5). True joy and peace depend not on circumstances but on God’s protection and provisions (cf. Gal. 5:22; Rom. 14:17).
Footnotes:
[1] For more information on superscription, authorship, and historical notes, see Allen P. Ross, “Psalm,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 782
[2] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1999), 650.