Psalms 4 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 4

Answer Me When I Call

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

4:1   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,¹ 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.
4   Be angry,² 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.
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.
8   In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

[1] 4:2 Or O men of rank
[2] 4:4 Or Be agitated

Commentary

This Psalm is headed, "for the director of music", as in Ps 5; 6. The alternative view is that this was an instruction at the end of the previous Psalm. Compare Hab 3.19, where a similar instruction is found at the end of the song.

A Psalm declaring the attitudes of a godly man, with themes similar to Psalm 3.

v1-2: The concerns of a godly man; to keep in constant contact with God, enjoying His answers; and to give the correct place to God. His realisation of personal need brought a boldness and urgency to his prayer.

This was a time of trial for David, for many men did not share his devotion to God; Absalom, Sheba, Amnon, Joab, Abishai, Ahithophel. Such prayers therefore reflect a life of distinctive godliness.

v3-5: The consequences of being a godly man;

set apart for God;
prayerfulness;
searching of one's heart, a sensitive conscience (Prov 4.23);
right sacrifices, ie: true worship; and
trusting in the Lord.

Such things mark the godly man as different from the ungodly. The Lord God will honour such attitudes, "the Lord will hear" (see also Ps 66.18). We need to give time to being with God.

v6-8: The comforts of being a godly man;

that God will show us good;
that God's light will shine upon us; see 2 Cor 4.6, where this refers to the revelation of God in Christ;
the joy that the world cannot give;
a clear conscience, as in Ps 3.5.

Many despise the way of godliness (Job 21.15), yet the Lord does lift up the light of His face upon us. Whatever our circumstances, we can trust in God. David's confidence, as expressed here, can be our confidence also.