PSALM 4

This Psalm, as the inscription suggests, was written to be sung: “To the Chief Musician. With Stringed Instruments. A Psalm of David. (NKJV). As one commentary suggests, Psalm 3 and 4 are to be paired together – Psalm 3 as a morning hymn and Psalm 4 as an evening prayer.

The Davidic morning hymn is now followed by a Davidic evening hymn. It is evident that they belong together from the mutual relation of 4:7 with 3:3, and 3:6 with 4:9. They are the only two Psalms in which the direct words of others are taken up into a prayer with the formula “many say,” רבים אמרים^[1]

Whether or not one prays these words in the morning or evening, we do understand the sense of hopelessness that emerges from living among a people where what is worthless is celebrated. Even though the culture around us often degenerates into worthless debates (see most social media sites) and as truth becomes harder to find among the fictions that seem so prevalent we can choose to be encouraged.

First, God has set apart (distinguished, separated) His own for Himself. We are reminded that because God has taken the initiative to act for us we can pray, we can ‘be still’ (vs 4), we can offer the sacrifice of a broken spirit (see Psalm 51:17) and the sacrifice of praise (see Hebrews 13:15).

Second, we are reminded that genuine joy is not the responsibility of others. God Himself is the source and sustainer of joy. In the world of David and the ancient near east, the harvest was often a time when families and communities would celebrate – the wait was over, the hard work had paid off. But there is a deeper joy for us because of God’s presence and God’s power to protect. Rather than react in anger we can simply rest in the assurance that God will fulfill His promises.

^[1] Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 5 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), 65.