Psalms 4
A Time of Trouble When People Doubt the Godly

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

David was ‘in distress.’ It was a time of trouble, a time when he needed help and it did not appear that help was coming. As a result, he was being scorned and his pursuit of righteousness was being doubted by some close to him. In fact, they were holding him in scorn.

2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

See also, v.6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”

It would be easy to put this in the time when he had fled from Saul and it did not look like he was going to survive. The situation was tough enough but then those close to him were mocking his commitments to do what was right.

Remember that twice he had Saul’s life in his hands and let him go. That must have been difficult for those with him, his confederates at arms, to watch.

They, no doubt, seriously questioned that he would ever rise to the throne as Samuel’s anointing had promised and further thought his commitment to principle was foolish.

David chided them for their wickedness in doubting God’s provision and seeking after that which has no eternal value. He rebuked their sin and called them to repentance. “How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?”

By inference, “Principles and righteousness always matter, even in the worst of times.”

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

The ridicule and doubt of men notwithstanding, God is the keeper of the godly and His ear is always open to their prayers. David was certain of this even in times of trouble, or maybe especially in times of trouble.

It is amazing how that struggles push us to God and liven our hope in Him. (Maybe that is the reason they are sent.) The evil say, “never let a tragedy go to waste.” Maybe the righteous should think the same thing.

4 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Here is David’s counsel to the ungodly. Maybe he is also speaking to himself for we know that he was moved emotionally by difficult times. Which, by the way, is not a sin.

“Tremble,” at the sins you have committed already, loving worthless things and living by deception, “and do not sin,” leave off these things. “Consider quietly the real nature of all things and do not move in the direction of wickedness.”

It is amazing how many difficulties would work to our profit if we would simply “be still” and wait for the provision of God. When David practiced this himself over the course of his life, victory was almost guaranteed. It was when he acted outside of meditating on spiritual things that trouble came. The same is true for us.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.

And, what are the sacrifices of righteousness?

Rom 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. KJV
Heb 13:15-16
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. KJV

And, he called his doubting counselors to faith, “trust in the Lord.” Notice how he turned this situation into an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD!

And, in the presence of the doubters, he turned his heart to prayer. They are not going to turn from their love of worthless things unless the Lord Himself visits, and, so, David asked for that as they watched and
listened.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

He affirmed the confidence he had in his soul that the Lord would both hear and answer him, rejoicing even as the circumstances and his advisers said otherwise. Such is true faith.

And, he made a determination for his way forward.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety. NAS

Salvation is always of the Lord. If He does not keep us we have no safety at all, certainly not in worthless behavior and deception. His confidence in the Lord was absolute and so should ours be.

— April 4, 2020