Psalm 4

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 4

PSALM 4

Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

David Ask God to Vindicate him from his Accusers and finds rest in knowing that God will keep him safe.

Type of Psalm: Lament

Psalms, Volume 1 The Heading (4:0)

Once again the psalm is considered Davidic, although no attempt is made in the heading to associate this composition with a particular circumstance in his life (as was the case in Ps. 3)

Psalms, Volume 1 Original Meaning

THIS PSALM IS an individual lament (or perhaps better a plea for deliverance) like Psalm 3. The context of Psalm 4, however, is quite distinct from the personal attack that dominated the previous psalm.

The Supplication:

Psalm 4:1, 6

“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.” (Psalm 4:1, NASB95)

Here, the phrase functions more like a direct plea for Gods Response than confidence over God’s past deliverances. like we see in Psalm 3.

The Psalmist / David sincerely wants relief from distress.

O God of my righteousness seems like a sort of legal standing or setting where God is his judge and renders a verdict righteousness.

How often do we see see God as our Righteousness.

How often we we see ourselves a righteous in Gods site because of Christ Jesus.

Be Gracious: Sometimes translated be Merciful carries the sense of generous provision. Literally one go gives generously, or a generous person

This same word was used in Genesis:

“He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”” (Genesis 33:5, NASB95)

Now Jacob had 13 kids here. 12 sons and a daughter.

Leah had 6 sons and one daughter

Her maid had 2 sons

Rachael had 2 sons

her maid had 2 sons

In Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.” (Psalm 37:21, NASB95)

Skipping down to Verse 6: “Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!” (Psalm 4:6, NASB95)

The Shame:

“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.” (Psalm 4:2, NASB95)

Here the Psalmist seems to rebuke his own people

How long in most Psalms refers to God, by protesting His delay in an action on behalf of its speaker.

“How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?” (Psalm 79:5, NASB95)

“How long, O Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire?” (Psalm 89:46, NASB95)

My Honor/My Glory: Scholars differ.

Is he referring to himself personally His dignity and reputation

Is he referring to God/Yahweh

Is he not addressing a personal attack on God

We see this in the previous Psalm: “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3, NASB95)

How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception

Here there is a sense that he is condemning those who shame god by seeking false gods

Aim at Deception/Seeking after a lie

Do they have a knack for Falsehoods or Lies

Do they Seek Lies / take refuge in Slander

Simply speaking lies naturally / Lies just roll off their lips

You know that person that you talking to that you know most all of what comes out of there mouth is fiction.

The Sanctification

“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.” (Psalm 4:3, NASB95)

The Scrutiny

“Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 4:4–5, NASB95)

The Security

“You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:7–8, NASB95)

Psalms, Volume 1 Original Meaning

Here the motivating circumstance seems to be failure of crops as the result of some natural calamity—perhaps drought.

Psalms, Volume 1 Original Meaning

Such distress, as frequently occurred in ancient Israel, raised questions about Yahweh’s ability to provide agriculturally for his people and drove many into the arms of the foreign gods with their claims of prowess in agricultural (and human) fertility.

Psalms, Volume 1 Original Meaning

The psalmist rejects the fertility deities as false gods, counsels his people to remain confident in Yahweh, and appeals to Yahweh to demonstrate his good intent to his people by providing for their needs.