Psalm 4:1-8 (God is Our Righteousness, Honor, and Joy)

Introduction

When you experience hostility – someone is slandering you, someone has generally decided to make life hard on you, or a whole group or institution is working against you – when you experience distress, where do you turn? How do you respond? What do you do to find calm and peace so you can sleep at night?

An area of the Ivory Coast (just south of Burkina Faso in West Africa) was raided by militant Muslims in March of last year. Church buildings were burned, Christians were beaten, and some were kidnapped. One of those taken away was a pastor, named Bernard.

Bernard was tortured for hours by the jihadi Muslims. They demanded that he stop evangelizing Muslims and that he renounce Christ. They killed others in front of him (courageous Christians who refused to disown their faith in Jesus), and they taunted Bernard by saying, “Jesus cannot save you from our blades.”

Finally, the attackers beat him and left him for dead, but Bernard survived. He crawled to a nearby stream to wash his wounds, and there he prayed. As the story goes, he prayed the first line of Psalm 4, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress.”

So far as I know, Bernard is still evangelizing Muslims in and near the Ivory Coast, and he continues to pray for their conversion to Christ.

We’re going to consider another of David’s songs of prayer in Psalm 4 today, and many Bible guys have thought that Psalms 3 and 4 are a kind of tandem pair – even a set, one for the morning and the other for the evening.

Psalm 3 (as we observed last Sunday) speaks of David rising up after sleep (like one does in the morning). And though he was surrounded by many foes, David was able to proceed without fear… because the Lord sustained him… and because the final and ultimate word on salvation belongs to the Lord (not to David’s enemies or even to his own guilty conscience).

Psalm 4 (our passage for today) is a prayer for relief and a word of admonition for David’s enemies… and it concludes with David laying down to sleep (as one does in the evening). David was able to rest because of his trust in the Lord’s provision and blessing (despite his troubling circumstances).

It is easy to see how one might think it helpful for Christians to sing or recite Psalm 3 in the morning and Psalm 4 in the evening… especially when we are experiencing times of distress in our own lives (even if the threats against us are not as extreme as Bernard’s or king David’s).

If these Psalms are a pair, and the context that gave rise to them is the same, then we might take a moment to refresh our memories a bit about the context of David’s troubles… as some of you may remember, king David was on the run, and one of his own sons was his pursuer.

Absalom was not the son of Bathsheba, but David’s sins of adultery, of conspiracy, and of murder were coming back on his own head. God Himself sent the prophet Nathan to tell David of the judgment, and now David’s suffering under God’s punishment was very public and very painful.

From a 30,000-feet perspective, David’s enemies were many, and they had every reason to taunt David for being cut off from God’s provision and blessing. Psalm 3 (as I understand it) is primarily focused on what must have been an incredible inner affliction – “Is there salvation for me in God?”.

By the end of Psalm 3, David’s confident answer was that the Lord is the one who decides stuff like that, and the Lord Himself had graciously and sovereignly chosen David for blessing and not cursing (despite his egregious sin).

Psalm 4 seems to focus less on David’s guilt and temptation to despair… and more on David’s confidence in God, though his enemies were many and strong. This psalm (as I see it) is dealing more with David’s outward affliction – “From where does my righteousness, my honor, and my joy come?”

This is the sort of question that every Christian needs to answer, and sometimes the answer seems opposite of our circumstances.

I think that’s really the point of Psalm 4 today. The people of God often face unjust opposition and affliction and hardship in this world, but God Himself is our righteousness, our honor, and our joy.

One more quick note… once again about the “selahs.”

As I did last Sunday, I won’t read the two “selahs” in our text. But I’ll repeat the previous lines and pause afterward to let them hang for a moment. This is my attempt to make use of what I think the word “selah” might have meant when it was written.

If you have more questions about Hebrew poetry or this word “selah” in particular, then I’d be happy to discuss it with you anytime… just come talk to me.

Let’s consider this psalm together, and let’s see where we can find our own righteousness, honor, and joy… during times of distress, opposition, or affliction.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 4:1–8 (ESV)

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A PSALM OF DAVID.

1 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!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?

[PAUSE]

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

Ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

[PAUSE]

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Main Idea:

The people of God often face unjust opposition in this world, but God Himself is our righteousness, our honor, and our joy.

Sermon

I. A Prayer in Distress (v1)

The people of God often face unjust opposition in this world, but God Himself is our righteousness.

The psalmist began his prayer with an urgent plea, an appeal, and a memory: “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!” (Ps. 4:1).

Let’s observe (1) the urgency of this prayer, (2) the appeal to righteousness, (3) the practice of remembering God’s faithfulness, and (4) the plea for grace.

The urgency of this prayer.

David’s urgency and boldness appear in his opening phrase – “Answer me when I call” (v1).

This is not a cold-hearted petition, not a shout at a stranger, and not a complaint from a servant… but the plea of a son in distress… who knows his Father’s ear is open to hear it.

The phrase is an imperative, a command – but I don’t think it’s presumptuous (i.e., “You do this, or else!”).

It is, rather, a bold appeal based on a covenantal promise – the Lord is David’s God, and He is ready and eager to listen.

Friends, can you pray like this?

Do you have any confidence that God will hear you when you cry out to Him in your distress?

And if you do, then why are you confident?

Is it because you think God is obligated to hear everyone? He is not.

Is it because you think you deserve to have God’s ear? You do not.

Is it because you know God is graciously bending His ear toward you… as a beloved one in Christ Jesus?

Well, if you are turning from sin and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you certainly can have such a confidence!

The appeal to righteousness.

Throughout this prayer, David contrasts himself with his enemies by pointing to his righteousness and their unrighteousness – see it in v1 – “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness.”

However, David knows that his “righteousness” does not begin with him, and it is not maintained by him.

David clearly understands that “God” is his “righteousness”!

God is the author of it, God is the sustainer of it, God is the judge of it, and God is the rewarder of it.

Of course, David is not claiming sinless perfection – he knows that he is a sinner, guilty of egregious immorality.

What David is claiming here is covenantal justification – God has declared him righteous, God has set him apart for righteousness – the Lord is the “God of [his] righteousness.”

While OT believers did not know the name of Jesus, they knew that God had promised a Messiah through whom righteousness would come… and David was here indicating (even in the OT) that he knew God is the one who declares and makes sinners righteous.

Brothers and sisters, do you trust that God specially hears you in prayer because of your righteousness?

Do you know that God has made you righteous in Christ and that He is the author and preserver of your righteousness (even when others around you might accuse you of guilt)?

Are you confident to approach God in prayer as a righteous one, and do you ever pray against unbelieving hostiles who are unrighteous? David was, and David did!

The practice of remembering God’s faithfulness.

Notice how David’s confidence in God is drawn from his past experience – “You have given me relief when I was in distress” (literally, “You have enlarged me when in distress”).

This is a military figure of speech.

It’s a picture of deliverance – when a troop was hemmed in and enemies pressed the advantage, but suddenly there appears a way of escape.

It seems that David was finding assurance in the fact that God had done this already for him in the past.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Good Christian, it is not to be imagined that He who has helped us in six troubles will leave us alone in the seventh.”

And, brothers and sisters, even if we can’t think (in our distress) of any answered prayer, any past deliverance, or any divine help in our times of need, we (if we are repenting and believing ones)… we are constantly able to look back on God’s gracious help in the person and work of Christ.

When we sing “Come Thou Fount,” we are echoing this practice of remembering God’s faithfulness in Christ.

Verse 2 – “Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come; and I hope, by Thine good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God, He to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.”

Brothers and sisters, if you can sing that, then you can pray to God, like David did, “You have given me relief when I was in distress.”

The plea for grace.

The psalmist prays, “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer” (v1).

Once again, I don’t think David was presuming upon God’s obligation to rescue him (and not help his enemies) because of some sense of his own virtue or value.

Rather, David was lifting an urgent plea for God’s gracious help in his time of need.

Indeed, God has promised to aid His people, but both His promise and His aid are always on the basis of sheer grace.

And this means that we – in our times of distress – we can and should appeal to God for the very grace He’s promised!

Friends, when we awake in the night because of some trouble or burden, when we find ourselves hemmed in by opposition (on our job, among our friends, in the culture around us), or when we are confronted by our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities… we can and should urgently and confidently cry out to God.

He is our righteousness (even when others might accuse or mock us). He has helped us before, and He has not grown tired or weak. He has been… and He’s promised to be gracious to us, so “let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

II. A Bold Admonition (v2-5)

The people of God often face unjust opposition in this world, but God Himself is our honor.

To “admonish” is to rebuke, to caution, or to warn someone… and that’s what David turns to do in v2-5. After lifting his plea to God for help, David now aims a cautionary word at his enemies – he (1) rebukes them, (2) reveals what is true, and (3) calls upon them to remedy their present error.

It is noteworthy here (to me) that David was being dishonored by his enemies – they had taken away his worldly place of honor – but David was able to find confidence in his standing before God – the Lord Himself was still honoring David. And in David’s confidence, he called his enemies to repent of their error and come to the right way of understanding and living.

The rebuke (v2).

The psalmist says, “O men [or “sons of men” (KJV and NASB) or “men of rank”], how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?”

Remember that among David’s enemies are noblemen, captains, and men of rank and power.

Remember that David was the rightful (i.e., the God-ordained) king of Israel, but his enemies had turned David’s “honor” (at least in their eyes) to “shame” (v2).

Remember too that David’s enemies were believing “vain words” and “lies,” and thus basking in their fleeting glory.

Friends, sinners do this all the time when they falsely accuse and trample over Christians in order to advance themselves.

Have you ever been passed over for a promotion because you were unwilling to play the game of office politics or because you were known as someone who doesn’t toe the line on the pet sins of those around you?

Have you ever felt pressure from family members to “just stop talking about that Christian stuff” so that your niece or your brother or your grandkid can continue in sin without feeling “judged” by you?

Brothers and sisters, we are not wrong to rebuke sinners who think of us as the ones in error.

It is sometimes right for us to come out and ask them, “How long will you keep on shaming me? And how long will you love vain [or “empty”] words and seek after lies?”

The revelation (v3).

Next, the psalmist says, “But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him” (v3).

Remember that David’s enemies thought of themselves as the privileged ones – they were on the rise, and David seemed to be falling faster and faster.

But friends, we must remember that “the godly” (not unrepentant sinners) are “set apart” unto the Lord, and it is “the godly” (not wicked ones) that are heard when they “call” to Him.

It is as though David was saying, “You might think you have the upper hand right now, but you are wrong. God is working out His plans to honor and to ultimately deliver and glorify His people… and you will see where we all stand in the end.”

Brothers and sisters, this is a revelation (a truth, a reality) that we must remember as well… especially when we are in distress.

Do you believe that the sovereign God of the universe is working out His plan to glorify believing Christians?

Do you believe that God is able to carry out His plans?

If so, then remember (especially in those times when you are being dishonored by sinners)… remember that God is your honor, and you are the object of His affection and care.

This seems particularly encouraging for any of us who feel discouraged by the relative smallness of our church or by the dishonor that Christians often seem to endure in our culture.

If we are trusting in the Lord Jesus, and if we are aiming to live as faithful followers of Christ, then we can “know” that God has set us apart for Himself, and He hears us when we call to Him.

The remedy (v4-5).

In v4-5, the psalmist says, “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.”

There are four imperatives or commands here… four responses David is calling for from those who right now stand against God and His people:

First, the ESV translates the first verb here “Be angry,” but I think the KJV and the NASB translate it better.

KJV – “stand in awe” (v4)

NASB – “tremble” (v4).

The psalmist is calling for his enemies to consider where they stand before the holy God and to turn away from sin (or disobedience) in awe and trembling.

Friends, it is a distinct characteristic of arrogant sinners that they “do not tremble” even as they speak and act in rebellion against God (2 Pet. 2:10).

And when we encounter this kind of fearless rebellion (in our friends or family members), it is right for us to admonish them – “Do not be so careless in your sin, but consider God’s judgment, and stop sinning.”

Second, the psalmist commands, “ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent” (v4).

This is a call to consider one’s heart, life, and actions; and to deal with them honestly and thoughtfully.

Friends, how often do we turn to distractions when what we really need is to have a moment of quiet and careful consideration?

George Swinnock was a Puritan pastor in England during the late-1600s, and he noted that we need “never be idle when we have so much business to do with our own soul.”

He said, “Ask yourselves for what end you were made, what lives you have led, what times you have lost, what love you have abused, and what wrath you have deserved.”

And then he said, “The silent night is a good time for this sort of pondering and prayer.”

Third, the psalmist commands, “Offer right sacrifices” (v5).

Remember that David was cast out of Jerusalem – where was the temple, the priests, and the whole OT sacrificial system.

David’s enemies, on the other hand, they were reigning in Jerusalem, with full access to all the material accessories of the Mosaic covenant.

But David’s enemies were also acting in direct defiance of God’s law and will.

Thus, David’s command here is something like what John Calvin paraphrased, “You boast of having God on your side, because you have free access to His altar to offer your sacrifices there with great pomp… But you must worship God in a far different manner, if you would expect any good at His hand; for your unclean sacrifices with which you pollute His altar, so far from rendering Him favorable to you, will do nothing else but provoke His wrath.”

Friends, this reminds us that “right sacrifices” (or “right worship”) is not defined by location or by body-posture or even (necessarily) by doing the right stuff… but instead the “right worship” of God is hearing and believing His word… and obeying His revealed will.

Fourth, and finally, the psalmist commands, “put your trust in the LORD” (v5).

This is a sort of summary exhortation to put “trust” or “confidence” in “the LORD” above all else.

Trust that God’s commands are good.

Trust that God’s revealed will is wise.

Trust that God’s goodness is unending.

Trust that God’s promises are sure.

Friends, consider the cumulative thrust of these four verses and four commands… especially as they pertain to those who are at present in rebellion against God and His people. If you are not right now turning from sin and trusting in Christ, then…

Don’t just consider the outward appearance of things, but make it your aim to believe what is truly true.

Don’t just look at the apparent lack of worldly praise or prestige for God’s people, but know that God honors them and will always do so.

Don’t be arrogant or careless in your sin, but when conviction weighs heavy on your heart, confess your faults and ask God for forgiveness.

Don’t just think of godly worship as being in the right place or doing the right motions, but live your whole life in humble submission to God’s word and eagerly obey His commands.

And don’t trust in your own wisdom, the strength of force, or the ability you think you have to keep it all under control, but trust in the Lord.

Trust Him to make good on His promise to forgive sinners through Christ, trust Him to sanctify sinners through His Spirit, and trust Him to glorify sinners according to His own good pleasure and plans.

If we are living in error, friends, then may God help us to receive the rebuke and to remedy our present situation.

It may be that we feel a sense of honor from other sinners around us in the world, but God honors His people according to a whole different measurement… and God’s declaration and distribution of honor is far greater than any other.

III. A Reminder of Blessing (v6-8)

We come now to the final section of our passage – the last three verses of this psalm. Here David speaks of those who wish for God’s blessing, but do not have it, and those who have God’s blessing, even though their present circumstances do not seem to reflect it.

Or as I’m arguing today, though the people of God often face unjust opposition in this world, God Himself is our joy.

Friends, as we’ve noted several times in recent weeks, there is a kind of “Christianity” that promises all sorts of goods in the world, but such goods are often defined in exactly the same way as a non-Christian would define them.

Prosperity “gospel” preachers will promise you all manner of materials and experiences that will gratify your passions. “Who will show us some good?” they say, and “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” they shout… but they just want a boost in their stock portfolio, they are just thinking about a job promotion, they just want relief from their physical pain, or they are just thinking about a little less conflict at their next family reunion.

Now, I’m not saying that none of this stuff is good. All of it would be great!

But consider the contrast David makes (in v7-8) between the kind of “good” or blessing that can only be perceived through the senses (touch, taste, smell) and that which comes supernaturally from God despite circumstances.

See v7. David says, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (v7) and “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (v8).

I think it’s no coincidence that David puts the vocabulary of the OT blessing in the mouths of the unrighteous here. They are asking for God to “Lift up the light of your face upon us” (v7). And this comes directly from the priestly blessing of Numbers 6 – “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num. 6:24-26).

The blessing they want is the right one, but worldly sinners don’t understand what it means. David’s unrighteous enemies, those who oppose God and His people, they want God’s blessing, but they don’t understand that it often does not come with worldly pleasures.

Thomas Watson (another 17th-century English Puritan) said, “Worldly joys do put gladness into the face, but the Spirit of God puts gladness into the heart; divine joys are heart joys… Outward comforts can no more fill the heart than a triangle can fill a circle.”

This is what David was getting at when he said, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (v7).

An abundance of grain and wine is certainly a blessing from God, but what are we to think if we don’t enjoy circumstantial blessings at the moment?

What if people don’t respond well when we point them to Christ?

What if our kids or grandkids are not only neglecting the gospel we’ve taught them, but they are turning against Christ altogether?

What if our spouse does not seem as committed to the marriage as he or she ought to be, or what if our spouse is not even a Christian?

What if we are trying to follow Christ, but we keep running into obstacles – mocking friends, antagonistic bosses, or overly-critical family members?

What if our social media feed is full of smiling people, wealthy people, vacationing people, pretty people, healthy people, and people with all their loved ones still alive and prospering… but we look around at our lives and see opposition, discouragement, and hardship?

Can miserable Christians sing? Can mourning Christians rejoice? Can afflicted Christians lay any claim upon God’s blessing?

YES! God Himself is our joy!

The world may have its wine, but we have the Wine-maker.

Sinners may feast on their abundance, but they wake up empty. We feast upon the Lord – His goodness and wisdom and blessings – and we wake up full.

Sinners may be loud in their flaunting of temporary goods, but we can lie down in joyful peace, enjoying transcendent goods that will never fade.

Brothers and sisters, we may endure times when God’s providence is hard and the sky seems dark, but we must remember that the moon is always round.

I read a children’s book a while back that was written by a pastor who suffered the loss of his young child. In an effort to help his older (but still quite young) son understand God’s goodness through the midst of such sorrow and grief, he used the analogy of the waxing and waning moon.

Sometimes, when you look up in the night sky, you can see the moon’s light in its fullness. Sometimes it shines so bright that you can even see well at night.

But other times, when you look up at night, you can barely see the moon at all – it’s barely the shape of a fingernail, and its light is hardly noticeable.

And yet, the moon is always round.

The darkness sometimes seems to obscure it, but the moon is always round.

Friends, God’s face of blessing is a lot like that in the lives of believers and in the experience of local churches. Sometimes the circumstances of life seem so dark that we can hardly notice God’s face of blessing.

But when we are traveling the distressing road of God’s hard providence, we must remember that His blessing is always upon His people.

God Himself is our righteousness, our honor, and our joy.