Psalm 4 - Decisions in Distress

Introduction

There have been many distress calls over the centuries. Two of these have been used most recently. SOS was developed and sent over Morse code and stood for ‘save our souls.’ Mayday was developed and chosen to replace SOS in 1927 and was developed from a couple of French words meaning ‘come and help me.’ Mayday is most frequently used today by pilots. When trouble is looming and there is a failure of instrumentation, engines, or other issues - they repeat the words mayday three times to signal their distress.

Today we are going to read a Psalm in which David is in distress. It is another Psalm of lamentation. This Psalm has many paralleled themes in regards to Psalm 3 that we studied a couple of weeks ago. Some think this Psalm is actually an extension of that Psalm and that this Psalm also deals with the situation of David fleeing from Absalom. We are not told for sure what situation David is in as he writes this Psalm, however. It is conjecture for us to assume that this is definitely linked to Psalm 3. I think the author intentionally leaves this Psalm open for us to apply without a definite context. It reminds me of Paul’s thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 12:7.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

So many commentators have tried to make a case for what exactly Paul was struggling with at the time. Is it depression, poor vision, another physical ailment? Yet, there is no definitive answer given. Why, you might ask? God, in His infinite wisdom, oftentimes leaves facts like these out so that we can rightly apply the principle to our own lives.

Today as we study Psalm 4, I want us to practically approach this Psalm.

Read Full Scripture:

Psalm 4:1–2 ESV

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? Selah

Psalm 4:3–4 ESV

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. Selah

Psalm 4:5–6 ESV

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!”

Psalm 4:7–8 ESV

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.

Prayer

Today we are going to discuss five positive decisions we can make when we are in distress and in times of trial. The first is:

Scripture References: 2 Cor 12:7

I. In Times of Distress, You Can Decide to Turn to God (1)

Psalm 4:1 ESV

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!

Explanation

We discussed this a couple of weeks ago but it is so important I think we should consider it yet again. Where do you turn when trouble comes? When you are in distress, where do you turn? There are many wrong places to turn - money, addictions, and so forth... But there is only one truly right place to turn - and that is to God.

We see here that David turns to God in his distress.

We see the importance of taking Scripture in its context as we start off reading this Psalm. If taken by itself, this first statement seems to be a rather demanding request!

Answer me when I call! Doesn’t that seem rather forward to command God to answer you! It seems brash at best. Yet we cannot take Scripture out of context. We must read the whole section.

David goes on to say what - O God of my righteousness. Now it makes sense. David is appealing to God because of God’s righteousness and not his own. God is his righteousness. He isn’t appealing to God based on his own merit. He is appealing to God based on God’s! How beautiful is that my friends? When we approach God, we must approach God with this heart. It must be based on God’s righteousness and not our own.

Jeremiah 23:6 ESV

6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

He is our righteousness.

Yet - So many today attempt to approach God on their own merit only to be discouraged when they are not answered! I have news for you my friends - if you cannot call the president and be heard today based on your own merit, how are you to think you can call on the King of Kings (who is so far above any worldly leader today we cannot even grasp it!) and be heard based on your own merit!

Sadly, one of these merits that is most commonly claimed today is based on the approach to God because of our suffering and victimization.

We may say “God hear my prayer because I have been wronged! I have been wronged by society. I have been abandoned by my parents so you should answer me when I call. I have been mistreated so you should answer me when I call. I have been oppressed so you should answer me when I call!”

I deserve to be heard, God! Didn’t you see what they did to me? Don’t you see the injustice occuring to me! Answer me!

Please don’t misunderstand me here. God is compassionate and merciful (Psalm 103:8). God is loving (1 John 4). God is a God of justice (Job 34:12). He hears the cries of his people.

But our sufferings do not appease God’s wrath! Our sufferings do not atone for our sins! Only by the blood of Christ can we expect to be heard by God. We cannot pay the penalty for our sins by our sufferings. That is to cheapen grace. God will not stand for that my friends!

Christ paid the entire debt of our sins on the cross some 2000 years ago. He bore the penalty for our sins. He suffered and died and was buried. Yet - He raised from the dead 3 days later and now is at the right hand of the Father! It is only by repentance, turning away from our sins, and trusting in Christ as our risen Savior that we may be counted righteous before God.

So we must approach God based on His righteousness. We must approach God based on the righteousness of Christ- not our own.

In fact the Scriptures are clear to let us know that our righteousness is as filthy rags - or a polluted garment:

Isaiah 64:6 ESV

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Yet God’s righteousness is spotless.

When we do approach God based on His righteousness we know he will hear us. How do we know this? Because we can see that He has heard us before. David says “you have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious and hear my prayer.” David appeals to God’s character. God is unchanging. David knows that God has heard his prayers and given him relief in the past and he knows God can do it again!

He appeals to God’s mercy here. Again, not based on his own merit, but based on Gods.

He decides to turn to God. My friends you can as well. And when you turn to God you also...

Scripture References: Psalm 103:8, 1 John 4, Job 34:12, Isaiah 64:6

II. In Times of Distress, You Can Decide to Trust God (2-3)

Psalm 4:2–3 ESV

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Explanation

David has just turned to God and he is reflecting on his situation. David is the king and yet his honor is being turned into shame. His people are loving vain words and seeking after lies. They are slandering David. His situation appears so bleak! Many of those men that he has trusted have turned on him. They slander him now.

Yet David’s hope isn’t in man. He knows the Lord has anointed him and set him apart and hears him when he calls to him.

Why is David considered godly? He has already stated that his righteousness is in God! Not because of how great David is – but because how great God is. We see grace at work here.

David states that the the Lord has set apart the godly for himself. What exactly does this mean? It means that God sets apart the godly for a specific purpose. They are made holy unto the Lord for the purpose in which has decided for them.

Illustration

We set things apart today don’t we? We may set apart certain dinnerware for a certain occasion. We may have specific clothes we use for suitable occasions. We don’t put Christmas decorations out during the summer - at least most of us don’t! I won’t mention some who may fall into this category of Christmas in July by name but I’m sure you know who you are!

In all seriousness though - we set apart certain things for certain purposes.

God has done the same. He has set apart His people for his purposes. We see this fleshed out beautifully in Romans 8:28:

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

God has set apart His people for the purposes in which he has chosen. David was set apart to be king of Israel. Despite his grim circumstances, David knew that God had anointed him king of Israel and that God had purposed that he continue as king. David held to that promise and knew that even though his situation may appear hopeless at times, God would bring good from it.

Argumentation/Application

God does the same for us today my friends. When we turn to and trust in God, he works out everything for our good. That doesn’t mean we won’t struggle. In fact, Jesus was clear that we will struggle.

John 15:20 ESV

20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

We will have our struggles like David did. Yet we, like David, can be assured that he hears us as the end of verse three states. When we call out to the Lord, He hears the cries of His people.

After deciding to turn to and trust God, we can....

Scripture References: Romans 8:28, John 15:20

III. In Times of Distress, You Can Decide to Take God’s Orders (4-5)

Psalm 4:4–5 ESV

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

We must decide to take God’s orders. What are God’s orders? They are his commands. He asks that we obey Him in everything. However, in these particular verses we see four commands or orders given:

Self-control: Be angry and do not sin

Self-examination: Ponder in your own hearts and on your beds and be silent

Self-denial: Offer right sacrifices

Self lessness: Put your trust in the Lord

1.Self-control: Be angry and do not sin

Be angry and do not sin – does this sound familiar? It may because it is also quoted in NT:

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

David knows that anger can lead to sin. He has seen the anger of Saul at him and the hate that brewed in Saul’s heart through his jealousy of him. He has seen the anger of his son, Absalom, fester and lead to murder. He has seen the terrible effects of sinning in anger up close and personal.

We don’t see here that anger is sin - but when we are the most passionate about something - when we have the most emotion riding on something - we are most likely to sin. Self-control is key to fighting sin. We must have control over our bodies, or minds, and especially our tongues. I could preach multiple sermons on each of those topics, but we will move on to the next command here!

2. Self-examination: Ponder in your own hearts and on your beds and be silent

How does David fight anger and resentment? How does he tell us we can gain control of ourselves even in our most passionate emotions?

He tells us to meditate in our hearts on our beds before the Lord in silence. We are to put our focus on God instead of our situation. David is obviously in a precarious situation. He is being slandered and dishonored. He is obviously frustrated with his situation. Yet he takes this time to perform self examination.

We cannot gain self-control without self-examination. If you do not think about your actions and meditate and pray - asking the Lord to reveal to you the sinfulness of your ways - you will never grow in self control. You will continue to mindlessly do what you always have done.

I love that David recommends two qualifiers here as one ponders in their heart. Obviously we can ponder in our hearts just about anywhere or just about any time. Yet he states we need to do it on our beds and in silence. When we lie down at night is one of the best times to perform self-examination.

We have just lived another day of our lives. We have probably done some good things and probably some bad things. During this time of meditation and prayer before we go to sleep, we are able to reflect on our day and examine ourselves.

Putting this into practice is an important part of growing in your walk with Christ. If you ask Him to point out areas of weakness in your life, you will be amazed at how he begins to sanctify you - or make you more holy and like Christ.

3. Self-denial: Offer right sacrifices

Obviously, we are not under the Old Testament law and thus sacrifices in the truest sense as given here are not applicable to us. Yet aren’t we still called to live sacrificial lives to Christ? Aren’t we called to deny ourselves and sacrifice to Christ?

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

If we are to offer our lives as a right or living sacrifice, what does that mean? Well it doesn’t mean we are to give of our finances, or time, or services begrudgingly or out of the thought that we will make right what we have done wrong in the past. We cannot earn God’s favor by writing the church a check! We cannot earn God’s favor by singing on the praise team. We cannot earn God’s favor by even standing up here and preaching His Word!

Right sacrifices for us today involves giving of ourselves, our finances, or time - to the Lord out of love and appreciation for what He has given us. Those are right sacrifices unto to the Lord.

4. Selflessness: Put your trust in the Lord

David lets us know that we need to think less of ourselves and more of the Lord. Our trust must be in Him and Him alone. We cannot trust in our own strengths and abilities. We must trust in His.

As we have already discussed above - we must decide to turn to God, we must decide to trust God, and we must decide to take God’s Orders. After making these decisions, we can then decide to:

Scripture References: Eph 4:26-27, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1

IV. In Times of Distress, You Can Decide to Transfer Trials to Joy (6-7)

Psalm 4:6–7 ESV

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.

Explanation

David sees the many who are missing the goodness of God. They ask ‘Who will show us some good?’ Yet David sees the goodness of God! He states that the Lord has put more joy in his heart than what is present at the parties of the many! The festivals and harvest times and paydays of the many cannot compare to the joy that comes from the Lord. He doesn’t find his satisfaction in riches. He finds his satisfaction n the Lord!

Illustration

This idea is beautifully portrayed in Peter’s first epistle:

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The believers that Peter is writing to here have been spread throughout Asia Minor due to persecution from Rome. One would think that they would have every reason to ask the question asked by those mentioned in Psalm 4:6 - who will show us some good? They are being actively persecuted for their faith. Some even unto death! Yet they see the goodness of God and rejoice in the joy that God gives. This joy is inexpressible and filled with glory!

Argumentation/Application

Beloved, is that how one would describe you? Would someone say of you that you have a joy that is inexpressible. Not that you put on a fake face and act like things are ok even when there are struggles. But that you exude a joy that is infectious?

Our happiness and joy are not to be situation dependent. We shouldn’t have to be at some festival with abundant blessings in order to be joyous. Our joy is to not found externally - it is found internally. We can be happy and joyous in Christ no matter our circumstances.

We are able to decide to transfer our trials to joy. Not by our own efforts. But by trusting in Christ. When we reflect on the goodness of God and the beauty of salvation, we can experience and exude true joy that is inexpressible.

Friends, quit looking at what is distressing you all of the time. Step back and look upon the glory of the Lord. That is where we can truly find joy and happiness.Decide to transfer your trials to joy.

Finally, in times of distress, you can decide...

Scripture References: 1 Peter 1:6-9

V. In Times of Distress, You Can Decide to Thrive in God’s Rest (8)

Psalm 4:8 ESV

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Explanation

David lies down and sleeps in peace. Like we saw in Psalm 3 a couple of weeks ago – David is able to rest in the Lord because it is the Lord who makes him dwell in safety. In Psalm 3 we saw David rest and sleep even though some were coming to try to take his head off! Here we are unsure of exactly what trial he is experiencing but yet he rests again.

He decides to thrive in God’s rest. How does he do this? His focus is on the Lord and not the many. His focus is on the Lord and not man.

Notice a very important word in this verse. The word alone. He states for you ALONE. This word is very clear in the original Hebrew. It means alone or only. David is clear that there is no other than can make him dwell in safety. It is the Lord and Him alone.

Illustration/Argumentation/Application

Charles Spurgeon once stated, “I shall not sit up to watch through fear, but I will lie down; and then I will not lie awake listening to every rustling sound, but I will lie down in peace and sleep.... He that hath the wings of God above him needs no other curtain. Better than bolts or bars is the protection of the Lord... No pillow so soft as a promise; no coverlet so warm as an assured interest in Christ.

Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 1-26 (Vol. 1, p. 37). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.

There is no better safety and protection than in the hands of the Almighty God. We are able to thrive in the midst of distress because we have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords on our side. We need not fear when our circumstances seem grim and bleak. We may still rest in Christ. As Spurgeon said - Christ is better than bolts or bars as protection - and there is no softer pillow than resting on the promises of Christ.

We can rest on the pillow - or knowledge - of our salvation for us who are in Christ. We can know that He holds our lives in His hands and watches over us. We can rest secure in His promises.

Scripture References: Psalm 3:5

Conclusion

This beautiful Psalm of lament has given us five key decisions that we can make in times of distress. We can decide to:

- turn to God

- trust God

- take God’s orders

- transfer trials to joy

- and thrive in God’s rest.

Brothers and sisters - what decisions do you normally make when you are in distress? Do you turn to God or trust God? Do you obey God’s commands? Do you become hyper-focused on your trials and allow them to steal your joy? Do you rest in Christ or are you having sleepless night after sleepless night because of the distress you are facing?

Today you can make a decision to fully rely on God in times of distress. We should rely on God at all times! But during the trials of our lives we need to decide to turn to God through Christ.

As we end our time together tonight, I want to challenge you to look at each of the points from this evening and evaluate yourself as you lie on your bed before you to sleep tonight. In the silence of the night, examine yourself in each of these areas and ask God to reveal the areas in which you are succeeding and the areas in which you are failing. Ask Him to grow you in these areas and help you fully decide to rely on His power and not your own.

Friends let me leave you with these conclusions of the points given for this Psalm:

God is dependable and trustworthy

His commands are perfect

His gift of joy exceeds our trials

His rest is reliable

Let us Pray