Psalm 4 Pt. 1
Good Morning to each one of our Readers.
It is hard to believe how rapidly time seems to slip away. July is almost over and the month of August is looming large. In Ohio, that means back to school preparation will begin for many parents. The long summer vacation is coming to a close.
Cicadas are busily buzzing inside their shells as the vibration cracks the shell so that they can get out. The process is like molting for an insect. I have heard a few crickets chirping at night already. The photo below shows a cicada emerging from its hardened shell.
Today we will turn our attention to Psalm 4. It is 8 verses long and we will need to use a few posts to explain it. The names of God figure prominently in this Psalm. LORD (Jehovah) is used 5 times and the name God (Elohim) is used once. In our previous study of Psalm 3, I mentioned the distinctive importance of each name. Those same distinctive characteristics would hold true for this Psalm as well.
Psalm 4:1-8 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. 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.
Verse 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.
Sometimes it is helpful to note the introductory words of the Psalm. This is another Psalm of David. It was written as a Psalm of worship. The word "Neginoth" refers to songs for the stringed instruments. Most likely, the instrumentalists played as the Levitical choir sang the text.
King David is showing us a good pattern to follow for our prayer life. The first thing that David does is to pray to the One, True God of heaven. Maybe this is a good reminder to each of us. We should pray to our wonderful God before we go to the doctor with our physical challenges. We should pray to the Father before we go running to professionals to seek guidance. As soon as we encounter troubles we should run to our God and lay them out before Him.
"Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
David did not wait to go to the LORD until he was out of ideas to solve his problems. Prayer was his first course of action, not the last thing he did because he was out of options. I have noted before that we have a tendency to try to fix things first before calling in the expert to fix it right. David is teaching us to always go to the LORD first.
Next, David makes the basis of his prayer in the fact that God is the source of his righteousness. David knew that he had no right to pray to Holy God. He also knew that Jehovah did not impute his sins to him. Instead, He covered them up and removed them forever. (Psalm 103:11-17)
For a Christian, Jesus Christ is the source of our righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus is credited (imputed) to our account so when the Father sees us, He sees us covered by the righteousness of His Son.
What joy and blessedness this is. No wonder the author of Hebrews exhorts us to come frequently and boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
David praises God by recounting previous times that the LORD has heard his prayer and granted deliverance. The word "enlarged" means that David was pressed in from all sides by his enemies and troubles. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with no way out. Then Jehovah granted deliverance and David felt like he was in a large open space of relief.
It is a good thing for the born again Christian to remember past prayers that God has answered. We can express anew our gratitude and thanks to our Father for the work He has done, is doing and will do in our lives until He calls us home.
David tasted and enjoyed the mercies of God. The king knew that he had done many wicked things and yet the God of all grace put away David's sins. The king simply asked for God to extend mercy to him by hearing his prayer. David acted in humble faith as he began this Psalm.
Verse 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.
The phrase "O ye sons of men" is a phrase that seems to indicate David is not addressing the general population that he ruled over. Rather, it seems to be singling out those men who were leaders in his administration or in his army.
It is helpful to recall that David was surrounded by many mighty men of valor and good character. But he also had certain men like Joab and Abishai who were loyal to King David but not to Jehovah. Thus, they did many things which were immoral and vexed David's heart.
David has 3 main faults concerning these men that he brings up to the LORD in prayer. His goal is to lead them to confess their sin before Holy God.
They brought shame upon the glory that God gave King David.
First, David says they were turning "my glory" into shame. It appears that David is thinking about how Jehovah placed him into his position as king. The text below shows David's reaction after Nathan, the prophet told him what Jehovah is going to do for him.
The text below shows us David's great humility and his confession of inadequacy before the LORD of glory. It is this honor that God bestowed upon David that seems to be in view as he makes his prayer requests.
2 Samuel 7:17-22 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
They pursued vanity instead of things of God.
The word "vanity" means things that are idle, things that are empty or things that are a delusion. It is a word that means poured out or emptied out and still hungering for more. Sin is like this. The Book of Hebrews says there is temporary pleasure in sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25). However, the wages of sin will always come due and as Moses put it, "be sure your sin will find you out."
They sought after "leasing."
This word is not like the financial term "leasing." It is a word that means lying against God. Failing to tell the truth or speaking only that which is false. These are character issues and it vexed David's soul that there were people in his administration who were immoral in these ways.
David ends this part of his prayer with "selah." He recognizes the wonderful way that he knows Jehovah and David truly wishes that these men could know his God and be changed like he has been changed. It is almost like the inward sighing a parent has for a wayward child.
Verse 3
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
In this verse David reminds us how much we need the LORD (Jehovah) and the great blessings of knowing the LORD. God sets the Godly man apart for Himself. Isn't that a sobering yet encouraging thought?
Many times people scramble around trying to determine the will of God for their lives. Why don't we simplify things and seek to live a Godly life knowing that Jehovah will find a place for us to serve? Many times in scripture God calls people to serve Him right where they live. We just need to be willing to say "yes."
David chose Jehovah first and followed after Him.
The same Hebrew word translated "set apart" is used twice in this verse. This means that the Spirit of God is shining the light on an important truth for us to think about. The word means to be separated for God's purposes. God told Pharaoh that only the Egyptian's cattle would be destroyed but the Hebrew's cattle would be "severed" or separated by God and protected.
Jehovah called David to a high position of leading His people.
David knew this truth very well. He was just a lowly shepherd boy working for his father, Jesse. Yet, Jehovah anointed him king over His people. Notice the text below. Jehovah sent Nathan the prophet to speak to King David about building a temple for the LORD.
After all of this great blessing is given to David, he humbly went and sat before the LORD. All of this seems to indicate that David sought the LORD at a very early age and that his heart remained tender toward God. Yes, David sinned like we do and he endured chastening because of his actions. But, his heart remained true to Jehovah all of his days. He wants those who work for him to share this same vital relationship with God.
2 Samuel 7:8-1 8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, 11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
The verse concludes with a confident assurance in David's heart of knowing that Jehovah will hear him when he calls out to Him.
Points to Ponder....
It is hard to believe how rapidly time seems to slip away. July is almost over and the month of August is looming large. In Ohio, that means back to school preparation will begin for many parents. The long summer vacation is coming to a close.
Cicadas are busily buzzing inside their shells as the vibration cracks the shell so that they can get out. The process is like molting for an insect. I have heard a few crickets chirping at night already. The photo below shows a cicada emerging from its hardened shell.
Today we will turn our attention to Psalm 4. It is 8 verses long and we will need to use a few posts to explain it. The names of God figure prominently in this Psalm. LORD (Jehovah) is used 5 times and the name God (Elohim) is used once. In our previous study of Psalm 3, I mentioned the distinctive importance of each name. Those same distinctive characteristics would hold true for this Psalm as well.
Psalm 4:1-8 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. 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.
Verse 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.
Sometimes it is helpful to note the introductory words of the Psalm. This is another Psalm of David. It was written as a Psalm of worship. The word "Neginoth" refers to songs for the stringed instruments. Most likely, the instrumentalists played as the Levitical choir sang the text.
King David is showing us a good pattern to follow for our prayer life. The first thing that David does is to pray to the One, True God of heaven. Maybe this is a good reminder to each of us. We should pray to our wonderful God before we go to the doctor with our physical challenges. We should pray to the Father before we go running to professionals to seek guidance. As soon as we encounter troubles we should run to our God and lay them out before Him.
"Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
David did not wait to go to the LORD until he was out of ideas to solve his problems. Prayer was his first course of action, not the last thing he did because he was out of options. I have noted before that we have a tendency to try to fix things first before calling in the expert to fix it right. David is teaching us to always go to the LORD first.
Next, David makes the basis of his prayer in the fact that God is the source of his righteousness. David knew that he had no right to pray to Holy God. He also knew that Jehovah did not impute his sins to him. Instead, He covered them up and removed them forever. (Psalm 103:11-17)
For a Christian, Jesus Christ is the source of our righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus is credited (imputed) to our account so when the Father sees us, He sees us covered by the righteousness of His Son.
What joy and blessedness this is. No wonder the author of Hebrews exhorts us to come frequently and boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
David praises God by recounting previous times that the LORD has heard his prayer and granted deliverance. The word "enlarged" means that David was pressed in from all sides by his enemies and troubles. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with no way out. Then Jehovah granted deliverance and David felt like he was in a large open space of relief.
It is a good thing for the born again Christian to remember past prayers that God has answered. We can express anew our gratitude and thanks to our Father for the work He has done, is doing and will do in our lives until He calls us home.
David tasted and enjoyed the mercies of God. The king knew that he had done many wicked things and yet the God of all grace put away David's sins. The king simply asked for God to extend mercy to him by hearing his prayer. David acted in humble faith as he began this Psalm.
Verse 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.
The phrase "O ye sons of men" is a phrase that seems to indicate David is not addressing the general population that he ruled over. Rather, it seems to be singling out those men who were leaders in his administration or in his army.
It is helpful to recall that David was surrounded by many mighty men of valor and good character. But he also had certain men like Joab and Abishai who were loyal to King David but not to Jehovah. Thus, they did many things which were immoral and vexed David's heart.
David has 3 main faults concerning these men that he brings up to the LORD in prayer. His goal is to lead them to confess their sin before Holy God.
They brought shame upon the glory that God gave King David.
First, David says they were turning "my glory" into shame. It appears that David is thinking about how Jehovah placed him into his position as king. The text below shows David's reaction after Nathan, the prophet told him what Jehovah is going to do for him.
The text below shows us David's great humility and his confession of inadequacy before the LORD of glory. It is this honor that God bestowed upon David that seems to be in view as he makes his prayer requests.
2 Samuel 7:17-22 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
They pursued vanity instead of things of God.
The word "vanity" means things that are idle, things that are empty or things that are a delusion. It is a word that means poured out or emptied out and still hungering for more. Sin is like this. The Book of Hebrews says there is temporary pleasure in sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25). However, the wages of sin will always come due and as Moses put it, "be sure your sin will find you out."
They sought after "leasing."
This word is not like the financial term "leasing." It is a word that means lying against God. Failing to tell the truth or speaking only that which is false. These are character issues and it vexed David's soul that there were people in his administration who were immoral in these ways.
David ends this part of his prayer with "selah." He recognizes the wonderful way that he knows Jehovah and David truly wishes that these men could know his God and be changed like he has been changed. It is almost like the inward sighing a parent has for a wayward child.
Verse 3
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
In this verse David reminds us how much we need the LORD (Jehovah) and the great blessings of knowing the LORD. God sets the Godly man apart for Himself. Isn't that a sobering yet encouraging thought?
Many times people scramble around trying to determine the will of God for their lives. Why don't we simplify things and seek to live a Godly life knowing that Jehovah will find a place for us to serve? Many times in scripture God calls people to serve Him right where they live. We just need to be willing to say "yes."
David chose Jehovah first and followed after Him.
The same Hebrew word translated "set apart" is used twice in this verse. This means that the Spirit of God is shining the light on an important truth for us to think about. The word means to be separated for God's purposes. God told Pharaoh that only the Egyptian's cattle would be destroyed but the Hebrew's cattle would be "severed" or separated by God and protected.
Jehovah called David to a high position of leading His people.
David knew this truth very well. He was just a lowly shepherd boy working for his father, Jesse. Yet, Jehovah anointed him king over His people. Notice the text below. Jehovah sent Nathan the prophet to speak to King David about building a temple for the LORD.
After all of this great blessing is given to David, he humbly went and sat before the LORD. All of this seems to indicate that David sought the LORD at a very early age and that his heart remained tender toward God. Yes, David sinned like we do and he endured chastening because of his actions. But, his heart remained true to Jehovah all of his days. He wants those who work for him to share this same vital relationship with God.
2 Samuel 7:8-1 8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, 11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
The verse concludes with a confident assurance in David's heart of knowing that Jehovah will hear him when he calls out to Him.
Points to Ponder....
- David had a life pattern of putting Jehovah first in all things.
- David ran to Jehovah when he needed to pray about his problems.
- David always remembered what God had done for him and thanked Him.
- David sat before Jehovah in great humility for the rich blessings he received.
- The world will tend to dishonor those humble servants of God.
- The world follows things that are empty and worthless.
- The world is filled with lying and promoting falsehood.
- Choosing Jehovah first is always the path of blessing.
Well, we have started forward in our study of Psalm 4 and we continue to be blessed by the good examples we find in King David's life. We can be encouraged that putting Christ first is always the right thing to do even if it is not popular. May our hearts be encouraged in the Lord as we think about these truths.
Bob
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