Read Psalm 4
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Go Deeper
Have you ever considered what it would be like to be mindful of God with every breath? So often we’re mindful of Him for a few moments but then our thoughts drift and we forget about God. Maybe a phone call or text distracts you, or in the midst of your prayers, you start getting anxious about a work meeting or a struggle with your spouse or friend. We start off with the best of intentions but our mind and heart quickly drift to the worries and concerns of the world.
In Psalm 4, King David describes a life that is constantly focused on God. In his rest, in his day to day decisions, in his sleep at night, and everywhere in between, the Psalmist remains focused on the Lord. He’s in constant communication with God, and he’s not afraid of being honest with the Lord about his worries and concerns. With honesty and courage he seeks the Lord’s help in trouble and asks the Lord to fill him with joy. Because of his intimate relationship with God, the Psalmist is confident God hears him when he calls out (v.3).
In his book Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges describes the sin of ungodliness where we live life as though God doesn’t exist. We may know the gospel and be saved, but we don’t live life in a dependent, mindful posture. We go about our daily lives in our own power and strength and we don’t acknowledge our need for the Lord. In Psalm 4, David shows us what it’s like to live a godly life in constant communication with and mindfulness of the Lord. The result of David’s mindfulness is peace and safety. We would all benefit from a Psalm 4 type of life.
Questions
- How can you be more mindful of God today?
- When your mind and heart drift away from God, what’s something you can do to call you back to the Lord?
- When you experience trouble, where do you first turn: to others or to the Lord?
Did You Know?
Psalm 4 is sometimes categorized as a psalm of trust, where the Psalmist expresses his confidence in the Lord. See also Psalm 16, 23, 27, 62, and 73 for other Psalms of confidence. While we don’t know the specific cause of trouble, we do see a confident trust and hope in God.
6 responses to “Psalm 4”
4 Be angry and do not sin;
These words, echoed in Ephesians 4, are so instructive for me! I can have negative emotions without condemnation, but the accountability comes from how I act upon those feelings.
I was in intrigued by the first and last sentences of verse 1 and 3:
Answer me when I call to you my righteous God…..the Lord hears when I call to him.
David seems like a man in constant prayer and attentive listening to God.
My watch has a sensor that reminds me to get up and move if I have been sitting still too long. I need to follow my watch’s lead when it says to move around and I need to remind myself get up to move closer to the Lord in prayer and listening for his voice.
👍
Where are you deriving your self worth? Is it from the world or from Your heavenly Father?
Do you call out to God? Do you repent when you are doing wrong and asking for forgiveness?
God is listening and waiting.
We can be angry and not sin. You can wait for God to give the direction in that anger. Trust Him.
We can have conflict and all kinds of adverse things going on in our life BUT GOD can and will make our path straight and our ways glorifying to Him, IF we ask Him.
6There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
God thank You for joy in my heart. God thank you for me seeing my self worth through You and Your word. God thank You that I can call out to You whenever I am sad, mad, glad or whatever my emotional state is, that is when I need You most. God thank You for opening my eyes of understanding to the desires of Your heart for me. Thank You for this day, these minutes that I can remember You more and more each waking minute. God thank You for guiding my words and actions today for Your glory and honor in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The lesson is learning to make God my first response, not my backup plan.
On this journey, I’m more aware of what is empty and false. Am I paying attention to what I’m seeking? Is it approval, control, success or comfort? Is it lasting or is it empty?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself.
My identity is not up for grabs. I am known by the Father and set apart by Him.
Psalm 4 calls us to examine our hearts, reject what is empty, trust God deeply, and rest in His peace.
To God be the glory! Amen!
The posture of David’s heart is one of surrender and awe of God. He recognizes the evil of this broken world while acknowledging who God is—one who listens, answers, gives relief, is righteous, merciful, is light and safety. Why would we not cling to our God no matter the circumstance? It’s a matter of where we cast our gaze, on the problem or the Savior!