Psalm 4

2/26/2013

Psalm 4

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 4^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,

    my righteous God.

Give me relief from my distress;

    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

² How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[b]?^[c]

³ Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;

    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Tremble and^[d] do not sin;

    when you are on your beds,

    search your hearts and be silent.

⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous

    and trust in the Lord.

⁶ Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”

    Let the light of your face shine on us.

⁷ Fill my heart with joy

    when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, Lord,

    make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
2. Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
3. Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
4. Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)

The first verse of this psalm is David's request to God. David asks God for mercy and he asks God to listen to his prayer. In verse two David asks his enemies two rhetorical questions about their reactions to his glory and their warped desires. In verse three, he takes note that God has already set apart the servant that God deems faithful. Assuming that the faithful servant is David, God will respond to David when David calls for God. Verse four is the advice that David gives through wisdom, that one ought not to sin in anger. One's response may be to tremble, but do not sin, be silent and search one's heart. In verse six, he makes an observation that many people are questioning "who will bring us prosperity?". He provides a solution; suggesting that one ought to let the light shine on them, his people, and fill his heart with joy when grain and wine abound. David could sleep in peace because only the Lord makes him dwell in safety.

Like all the other psalms, David's words, which of course is inspired by God, is instructional. This psalm exemplifies God's timeliness- for always being there. I am most intrigued by verse two. The two rhetorical questions that David asks seems to be pertaining to misconstrued or misguided thoughts and messages about other peoples deeds.  

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
   How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

This particular verse makes me think about two emotions, one is jealousy and the other is anger. Of course our emotions  in a range- but in truth, no human is perfect and we can at least be on the same page here. Admittedly, I've on several occasions turned someone's glory into shame out of jealousy and anger. The moment I realize this, it is often too late and it doesn't make for a seemly first impression. This of course is followed by the other persons graciousness to forgive me for my sin and misdeeds, and sometimes it just ends there. Other times the repercussion is that relationship is dead and our want for reconciliation is moot. But then of course, the good news is, God is there for us and we could call to him in our times of need.

David didn't stop there, he gives us advice. He says "tremble but do not sin". When you are on your beds, this is the best time to think in silence, and to search one's heart. When the opportunity comes we offer up our sacrifices to renew our trust in the lord and finally we could rest easy with peace on our mind.