Psalm - 4

Psalm 4

Introduction

In a movie called “The Bear” a little cub is alone because his mother dies, but is adopted by a male Kodiak bear. The giant is always watching over the cub. Protects him from a mountain lion. Everything the bear does, the cub imitates - fishing in the river, scratching his back on a tree. One day they get separated. The cub is alone and the mountain lion sees his chance to attack. They come face-to-face. The cub stands, as he has seen dad do so many times, and growls. But it doesn’t work. Then the lion slinks away in fear. Camera pans back to see Dad behind the cub ready to strike.

Dallas Willard - “With this magnificent God positioned among us, Jesus brings us the assurance that our universe is a perfectly safe place to be.”

Even when it seems like we are utterly alone facing great danger, the Father is there to protect us. The moment of our greatest fear is the time of our greatest safety. This is taught to us over and over again in Scripture.

In 2 Kings 6, the nation of Aram and Israel are at war. Whenever the King of Aram wants to set up camp in an area, the prophet Elisha sends word to the King of Israel to warn him. This infuriates the King of Aram and they send a party in force to stop Elisha.

2 Kings 6:13-17 - 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Elisha was confident because he knew that though it appeared he was alone, right behind the veil of the visible stood a God who loved him.

- Daniel’s confidence as he stood fearlessly in the lion’s den after defying the King of Babylon and refusing to bow down to a false god.

- Moses’ confidence as Israel stood on the shore of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit.

- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s confidence as they also refused to bow to a false god and are thrown into a fiery furnace.

- Esther’s confidence as she goes before the King, though it could mean death, to save the Israelites.

All these places seems to be so dangerous, but turned out to be quite safe. All because they knew a loving God was behind it all. That is the truth we will see yet again as we walk through Psalm 4. Let me read it in the new Legacy Standard Bible, but we will walk through it together in our study, in the ESV.

Psalm 4 - YAHWEH MAKES ME ABIDE IN SAFETY

For the choir director. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 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.

2 O sons of men, how long will my glory become a reproach?

How long will you love what is worthless and seek falsehood? Selah.

3 But know that Yahweh has set apart the holy one for Himself;

Yahweh hears when I call to Him.

4 Tremble, and do not sin;

Ponder in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And trust in Yahweh.

6 Many are saying, “Who will show us good?”

Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Yahweh!

7 You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O Yahweh, make me to abide in safety.

Psalm 4 is a prayer of trust offered up to God at the end of a long, troubled day. It is the Evening Psalm that correlates with Psalm 3, the Morning Psalm. The repetition of several of the words and concepts draw the clear link between the two psalms. Think of Psalm 3 and 4 and part 1 and part 2 of the same idea. So this means that the historical context is the same. Let’s review:

King David’s son, Absalom, conspires against his father to take his throne. He sits at the city gate and takes people’s judgements on behalf of the king. He uses the opportunity to undermine David and present himself as the better king, the solution to Israel’s problems. He gathers a loyal following who declare him as king. He then marches on Jerusalem. David has no choice but to flee for his life. This Psalm, like Psalm 3, is written while David is out of his capital city, fleeing in shame from his own son, being taunted that God will not save him. While Psalm 3 dealt with physical distress, Psalm 4 deals with relational and personal distress. David knows his reputation has already been killed as they choose another king. This is his response.

DAVID’S REQUEST (V. 1)

Verse 1 includes 4 verbs that summarize David’s request.

Answer, be gracious, hear - all imperatives

give relief - perfect tense - past action with current results

- some translations put it as an imperative (precative perfect)

- others put it like this, and rightly so. God has been faithful.

GOD, ANSWER ME (V. 1A)

A continual cry of the psalms: 18:6; 50:15; 55:16; 145:18

God please hear me. He circles around to this at the end of the verse. “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” David acknowledges that it is only by God’s grace that his prayer will be heard.

- Definition of justice - getting what you deserve

- Definition of mercy - not getting what you deserve

- Definition of grace - getting what you do not deserve

It is only an act of grace that causes God to hear our prayer. We don’t deserve that. We haven’t earned that. Yet by his grace, God hears. God answers.

Psalm 27:7 - 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

O God of my righteousness - David doesn’t rely on his own righteousness. To be righteous is to be right with God and to live accordingly. David doesn’t have that on his own. God is the giver of righteousness. So because of my right standing with you, that you have granted to me, I confidently pray and listen for your answer.

GOD, ACQUIT ME (V. 1B)

You have given me relief - the word for relief means ‘open spaces.’ Set free. Rescued. Psalm 18:19; 31:8; 66:12; 118:5From my distress - word for distress means ‘tight spaces.’ Psalm 32:7; 119:143; Job 41:15; Isaiah 5:31; 49:20. God I was in a tight spot, “hemmed in” and you moved me out of that into freedom.

What an understandable cry! I am in this tight spot, your anointed king, I am hemmed in on every side by enemies. God, I only have all this because you gave it to me. I need you to rescue me from this prison. Acquit me. Declare me innocent and fix this.

DAVID’S REBUKE (V. 2-3)

MEN SHAME ME (V. 2)

David now turns his attention to his enemies. This is his counsel to them. He addresses them as ‘O Men.’ The phrase literally translates as ‘son of men.’ There are two words that translate as man…ish and adam. Son of ish translates as men of high standing, while son of Adam translates as men of lower standing. Both words are used later in Psalms:

Psalm 49:1-2 - Hear this, all peoples!

Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high,

rich and poor together!

So he is addressing these men as men of rank. And indeed they are. Absalom is a prince. Ahithophel is David’s counselor. These are royalty and men of the king’s cabinet. They are the highest, most powerful men in the nation.

He asks them a pertinent question…how long? This is a frequent question in the psalms as the psalmists cry out to God regarding injustice. How long will you let this happen?

6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 62:3; 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46; 90:13; 94:3; 119:84

Though this question is typically addressed to God, here David employs it against his enemies. How long are you going to keep up this rebellion? Then he asks two rhetorical questions:

how long will my honor be turned to shame?

David is king. God gave him this honor. He has the honor of this high and exalted position. But he has been deposed. This rebellion has, at least temporarily, shamed him.

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

David obviously knows they are speaking out against him. They have lied about him. They have slandered him. They are boasting about their supposed victory. But these are vain words, which David doesn’t hesitate to call out. They lack substance. And these claims are lies. While things seem to have gone their way, David knows what is happening. He knows Psalm 2. This will not work out for the rebellion.

Further, the words for ‘vanity’ and ‘lies’ are often used in the OT to refer to idols. So it could be that David is accusing them here of actually worshiping a false god. Why? Because David is God’s anointed. God’s son on the throne. And if you rebel against God’s anointed, you rebel against God himself. So their actions are idolatrous. Listening to Absalom instead of God’s anointed is following a false god.

GOD SANCTIFIES ME (V. 3)

But know…this is a note of confidence on David’s part. This is where David’s lament turns to confidence. Know this…same as in Psalm 139:1 - God you know me. David is now presenting the facts of the case. They had followed lies…here is truth. They had puffed up vain/empty words…here is substance.God has ‘set apart’ - distinguished, separated. Used in Exodus 8,9,11 as God condemns Egypt, stating he will punish Egypt, but not Israel who dwells in their land. He makes a ‘distinction’ between them. That is what God has done for the godly.‘Godly’ again…David does not boast here that he is in some super amazing category over and above them. The word here for ‘godly’ means ‘beloved.’ It is the Hebrew word hasid, the recipient of God’s hesed, his steadfast love. Used in Psalm 23:6 for mercy.

- God has set apart, distinguished, those he loves and those who have responded to his love. They are ‘for himself.’ They belong to God. And he hears them. To them he shows the grace of listening. Absalom and the rebels do not have that. David does.

DAVID’S REBUTTAL (V. 4-5)

Now David goes right after them. He has politely addressed them as men of rank. He has brought truth to their lies and substance to their vanity. Now he tells them what they need to do. And in mercy, it would be good for them! He uses a total of 5 imperatives to issue commands - know (v. 3), tremble, ponder, sacrifice, trust.

SEARCH YOUR HEARTS (V. 4A)

be angry… ‘angry’ is not the best translation of that word because he isn’t telling them to be mad at him. He is telling them to tremble…that is what the word literally means. To tremble or shake violently. Which is what happens to you when you are angry, so that is why the Septuagint (GK translation of Hebrew OT) uses the word ‘angry,’ which Paul takes and applies in Ephesians 4:26…in your anger do not sin. But that is not what David intends here. Now that he has given them the truth, he wants them to tremble before the Lord at its consequences. And do not sin…David has now turned on his King voice. This phrase is structured in what is called the negated jussive. It is a command that demands immediate compliance. This is a king issuing orders to his subjects. Ponder in your own hearts…spend time thinking through what it is that you’ve actually done. You haven’t merely upended a kingdom. You haven’t merely deposed a king. You are in active rebellion against the God of the universe. And you should quake with fear over that reality.

SILENCE YOUR MOUTHS (V. 4B)

and be silent…shut up your vain words, shut up your lies. Instead of boasting and bragging, better you lay down, shut up, and think about what you’ve done. Quite an appropriate place for Selah to show up! Now you think about that!

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 - Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

SACRIFICE YOUR LIVES (V. 5A)

offer right sacrifices…lit. Offer sacrifices of righteousness. 2 Samuel 15:12 tells us that Absalom was offering sacrifices to God during the midst of this rebellion. But they obviously could not have been authentic. They could not be righteous. He was in active revolt against God and his anointed…you can’t offer sacrifices from a right heart if you are bent on destroying God’s people!This is David’s call for them to turn to God and give themselves back to him. Which is seen clearly in the rest of the verse.

SUBMIT YOUR WILLS (V. 5B)

put your trust in the Lord. A wise decision for them to make, as God protects those he loves. He listens to those he loves.The word for ‘trust’ here is related to the word for ‘safety.’ He will use this word to refer to ‘safety’ in verse 8.It is a confidence, reliance on, to the point of safety and security.Proverbs 28:26 says those who trust in their own heart are fools. Why? You cannot trust in your own heart to the point where you are safe and secure. This is why ‘follow your heart’ is terrible advice! Only those who trust in God are safe and secure.Doing so brings several benefits to life, all that are listed in Psalms and Proverbs:God’s loyal hesed love - Psalm 32:10Happiness - Proverbs 16:20Safety and Security - Psalm 125:1-2Blessing - Psalm 40:4

DAVID’S RELIEF (V. 6-8)

FAVOR ME WITH GOODNESS (V. 6)

David now quotes those who are around him. These would be his followers, his allies. And they are losing heart. Someone show us some good! It is so bad. This is terrible. Please let there be some good that comes out of this. And who do they turn to for that goodness? Straight to God himself.

lift up the light of your face…this is a hint at the priestly blessing from Numbers 6.

Numbers 6:24-26 - 24 The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

God, only your favor could bring goodness out of this mess. This is the promise of Romans 8:28…God turns all things for the good of those who love him. This is the truth we ended with last week…if God doesn’t intervene, we are dead. This is a prayer of deliverance.

Psalm 31:16 - 16 Make your face shine on your servant;

save me in your steadfast love!

FILL ME WITH JOY (V. 7)

I love verse 7! Before David’s prayer had changed his circumstances, it had changed him. And you can notice this change over the course of the psalm. He goes from a sense of anxiety to peace. Nothing in his circumstances has changed…except him. And that changes everything.

Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We are too busy asking God to guard our circumstances…he promises to guard us!

God brings more joy, even in the midst of disaster, than pagans get in times of success. The rebels were going along well, at least at this point. They had succeeded. The sweetness of justice. And even though everything looked promising for them in that success, David has more joy being deposed that Absalom does on the throne. David has more joy sleeping in a field that Absalom does in the palace. Why?

Psalm 3:3 - 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

It was never about the throne. It was never about the palace. It was never about success. It was always about God.

FLOOD ME WITH PEACE (V. 8)

in peace…a reference to that blessing from Numbers 6. He will BOTH lie down AND sleep. He won’t just lay down because he should. Sleep will come too. He will not toss and turn. He will not fret. Because only with God can he dwell in ‘safety.’ That is a linked word to ‘trust’ in v. 5. David trusts God, therefore he can sleep in that trust. Only God can relax him to the point of sleep.Sleep is a declaration God is in charge and you are not. Sometimes, sleep can be an incredible act of worship.

Application

God is the giver of righteousness

Romans 3:9-26 - 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;

11     no one understands;

    no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

    no one does good,

    not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open grave;

    they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16     in their paths are ruin and misery,

17 and the way of peace they have not known.”

18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Listening to the wrong source can lead to idolatry. Will inevitably be led astray.Reason why absorbing Scripture is so important.ILL - bankers and fake bills…must spend time with the authentic.

Trust in God’s sovereigntySpurgeon - The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace.

God has set you apart (holy) and loves you. We are to respond to his love. David is God’s beloved. And thus can pray like this with confidence. In Jesus Christ, this is all true for you too. The bible uses wonderful imagery to convince us that we are loved by God.God’s love for us is the love of a friend who would sacrifice his life for the one he loves.God’s love for us is the love of a father for a rebellious runaway son.God’s love for us is the love of a mother that will never allow her to forget her child.You are the beloved of God.

Isaiah 43:1-4 - But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

    he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

    I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

    and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my eyes,

    and honored, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

    peoples in exchange for your life.

Perhaps you could write that phrase…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…on a card and carry it with you.

when you are tempted to give up because you’ve blown it, take it out and read it.When you wake up and are tempted to be overwhelmed by all that the day bringsWhen you are tempted to sin and dishonor GodWhen you are anxious or afraid or alone.

You can trust this is true for you…God did indeed give a life in exchange for your life.

Dave Jenkins - The sovereign God holds fast the beloved of God every nanosecond of every day. The character of God is a sure and steady foundation for the beloved of God. These twin ideas provide fuel for the Christian to stand fast in trials, press in towards Christ, and persevere in prayer.

So we pray psalm 4…maybe you could start praying this at the end of each day before you go to bed.

Peter Craigie - There are days in the lives of all human beings which require a psalm like this at their end.