Good Night: An Evening Psalm – Psalm 4

<p>Some attempt to connect Psalms 3 &amp; 4 as related to the same occasion. However, such connections are tenuous at best. All we know about Psalm 4 is that it is “A Psalm of David.”</p> <p><strong>Thesis</strong>: God is to be praised for answering prayer &amp; providing us peace &amp; security.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">A Prayer for Deliverance (1)</h2> <p><em><sup>1</sup>Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!</em></p> <p>“In distress” (1b) carries the idea of being in a tight corner or narrow place. “Relief” is when God enlarges the space &amp; widens the corridor. Opponents are pressing in around with their shameful lies &amp; vain words. I need relief!</p> <p><strong>He Appeals to God’s <span style="text-decoration: underline">Righteousness</span></strong>: “O God of my righteousness” which could be understood as “my righteous God” or “the God who vindicates me” because David is innocent &amp; his cause is righteous. God is just &amp; will justify His people. What righteousness we possess comes from Him.</p> <p><strong>He Appeals to God’s <u><span style="text-decoration: underline">Faithfulness</span></u></strong>: “You have given me relief when I was in distress.” In other words, you’ve done it before.</p> <p><strong>He Appeals to God’s <u>Grace</u></strong>: “Be gracious to me.” </p> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <ol style="list-style-type:upper-alpha" class="wp-block-list"></ol> <p><strong>He Appeals to God’s <span style="text-decoration: underline">Nature</span></strong>: “Hear my prayer” because God is a prayer-hearing &amp; prayer-answering God. Indeed, “answer me” relates to “hear me;” He answers b/c He hears. It is God’s nature to hear &amp; answer those whom He “set apart for Himself” (v.3a) and therefore “trust in Yahweh” (v.5b). </p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><strong>Contrasting the Enemies &amp; Yahweh</strong> (2-6a)</h2> <p><em><sup>2</sup>O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah</em></p> <p>The enemies are “sons of men,” drawing contrast immediately between mere humans and Yahweh God.</p> <p><strong>Explanation of Enemies Actions (2)</strong>: “My honor” or “my glory” (LSB) which could be David’s way of saying that his opponents are speaking shamefully about His God (cf. Ps 3.3, where Yahweh is “my Glory”). It could also be that they are reproaching his kingly honor, thereby speaking evil against God’s anointed, a big no-no (Ps 2). In addition, the enemies “love vain words” or “what is worthless” (LSB). Everything the world esteems highly is really worthless, vain, fails to last &amp; satisfy. They also go looking for lies &amp; falsehood. When truth is not cherished, only lies will be sought for. Disordered loves lead to deceitful lies.</p> <p>&#8220;Selah&#8221; is the pause button in Psalms. Stop &amp; think about the enemies are only human and God is greater. </p> <p><em><sup>3</sup>But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.</em></p> <p><strong>Yahweh’s Special Treatment (3)</strong>: Certainly David sees himself as “the godly one” or “the holy one” (LSB). At the same time, this is a gnomic/general truth: Yahweh treats His saints with special favor; Yahweh sets apart for Himself the saint. Such divine favor results in “Yahweh hears when I call to Him.” Why does God hear any of our prayers? He has set us apart for Himself. He who chose us for Himself will certainly answer our prayers! Moreover, Yahweh knows those who are His (cf. 2 Tim 2.19). He knows our needs, our situation, our Father knows what we need before we ask (Mt 6.8).</p> <p><strong>Exhortation to Enemies (4-6a)</strong></p> <p><em><sup>4</sup>Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah</em></p> <p>“Be angry” matches LXX; however, the Heb reads “Stand in awe” of God or “tremble” before Yah (LSB). Such contemplation of Yahweh ought to keep one from sin (“Sin not”). How often, though, people reverse this: they sin &amp; do not tremble! “Ponder, etc.” is that inner dialogue &amp; thinking in the dark silence of the night. Self-reflection. Why were you made? What kind of life have I lived? What blessings have I squandered? What wrath do I deserve? Where can I find true peace?</p> <p><em>Selah</em>, pause and ponder over these things. </p> <p><em><sup>5</sup>Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.</em></p> <p>Faithful Obedience – giving God what God wants by faith. “The sacrifices of righteousness” (LSB) are those sacrifices prescribed by Yah in His Law. But those sacrifices must be offered in faith, &amp; so “put your trust in Yahweh.”</p> <p><em><sup>6</sup>There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”</em></p> <p>Like Rufus sang, “Tell me something good.” The “good” (Hb. <em>Tov</em>). People want something good, never realizing where true goodness abides. This is a universal concern since “many” ask this, tho never finding satisfactory answers in this world. David points the searching soul to goodness…</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><strong>The Believer&#8217;s Confidence (6b-8)</strong></h2> <p>Verse 6 ends with a petition to Yahweh with echoes to the Aaronic blessing (Num 6.24-26, esp. v.25-26). Basking in the sunshine of God’s favor is the good-est thing.</p> <p><em><sup>7</sup>You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.</em></p> <p><strong>Joy (7)</strong>: Notice that it is Yahweh who puts joy in the heart. That heart which ponders in the night, which sometimes gives us answers which condemn us, has been conquered by divine grace &amp; now there is joy. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy” (Rom 15.13). The joy God gives is better than any earthly joy, seen in the contrast drawn out by times of abundance of grain &amp; wine. Earthly joy is like a painting of a banquet whereas God’s joy is a banquet eaten.</p> <p><em><sup>8</sup>In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.</em></p> <p><strong>Peace (8a)</strong>: While his opponents may be up late, tossing &amp; turning because of their self-reflection &amp; inner dialogue, David sees himself laying down &amp; going right to sleep, undisturbed, non-anxious. Why? He has “peace,” most notably peace with God. His mind is clear, his conscience good because of his assurance of God’s favor &amp; vindication. “A quiet conscience is a good bed-fellow”</p> <ol style="list-style-type:upper-alpha" class="wp-block-list"></ol> <p><strong>Security (8b)</strong>: “Alone,” i.e., Yahweh <em>alone</em> is the reason for David abiding in safety. Only because of God’s power, presence, &amp; protection did he live with confidence. No human could give him such security. Did David have his mighty men? Sure, but in God’s hand, under His wings brings peace &amp; protection which can be found no other place.</p> <p>What is your biggest source of stress? Do disloyal ppl get to you?</p> <p>This Psalm reminds us we are divine <em>elected</em> (v.3) and divinely <em>protected</em> (v.8). We see that not only our ability to rise each morning, but even a good night’s sleep with a clear conscience is a gift from God.</p>

This article is from reprinted Nick Perez. Please see original for comments.

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