Psalm, chapter 4, comments

 

Psalm 4:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.» Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 2  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. 3  But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 4  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

 

Here is a declaration and sermon by David, first praising God, being thankful for His protection and asking for mercy and that David’s prayer be heard. It is then that he turns to address sinful men.

 

Leasing in verse 2 is not a reference to renting a car. In this context it is from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘lesung’ meaning falsehood and deception. It will be used again in the next Psalm.

 

David expresses confidence that God will hear him. To be set apart is the meaning of sanctification, the process of being set apart or setting something apart for God.

 

Exodus 13:2  Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine…12  That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’S.

 

Leviticus 21:15  Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

 

 He then commands people to stand in awe of God and not to sin, reasoning within themselves and be still. Another Psalm will say;

 

Psalm 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

 

In verse 5 David would have followed the ritual sacrifices commanded for the Hebrews in the books of the Law. These included burnt offerings. Moses prophesied about Zebulun and Issachar.

 

Deuteronomy 33:19  They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

 

But, the future is also foretold here. You might consider the Jews in the Tribulation fleeing to the wilderness from the Beast or those followers of Christ who are blessed in the end time. There are several verses in Revelation that talk about those who keep God’s commandments in this time of terror. Please see their contexts.

 

Revelation 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

Revelation 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

As personal instructions to myself as a Christian this passage is very good advice. God will hear our prayers we are certain. God has set us apart for His purposes. Our sacrifices are not like the Old Testament sacrifices although a hint is given for us in the Old Testament.

 

Psalm 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

Proverb 15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

 

Just as God regarded the sacrifices of His animals by the Israelites a sweet odor…

 

Exodus 29:18  And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

 

Our prayers are a sacrifice;

 

Philippians 4:18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

 

Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

Revelation 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

 

And even our bodies, living and whole should be a living sacrifice by not conforming to the world system.

 

Romans 12:1 ¶  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Christians must also learn to trust in God, which is a difficult thing in a culture that prizes self-reliance and makes every citizen the butchered metaphor of “legend in his own time,” changing it to, “legend in his own mind.”

 

Proverbs 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 ¶  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The Israelites were guilty of this attitude as well.

 

Judges 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

Psalm 4:6 ¶  There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 7  Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than

in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

In David’s context he speaks of doubters, naysayers who question whether anything good will come from the LORD Jehovah. This seems to be about doubting God’s intention or willingness to do good to them rather than simply not believing in God. Then, David prays that God will direct His face toward the Israelites, which is presumed to be a good thing. He then gives a testimony about how God has blessed him, made him happy, even more so than a time of abundance of food. David knows that he can sleep in peace because of the Lord’s protection.

From a prophetic point of view we can see here a comparison with people at a much later age who scoff at God’s promises and even deny His very existence.

Jude 18  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

2Peter 3:3 ¶  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

 

For us personally, this is a very comforting passage, one full of hope. The Lord God can make us dwell and sleep in safety. It is not always that way but it can be and we pray for God’s mercy every day.