Psalms 4

David prays in the evening while men slander him. He turns from his accusers to warn them, then to God. The psalm ends with deep joy and a peaceful night’s sleep, resting on the LORD alone.

Psalms 4:1

David calls on God as the One who sets him right, the God of his righteousness. He remembers that God has already freed him in past trouble, and on that ground asks for mercy and a hearing now.

BSA: relieved (“set me at large, given freedom from”): Distress is pictured as a tight place, and God as the One who gives room to breathe. righteousness (“of vindication, my righteousness”): David looks to God to declare him in the right when others accuse him.

Hebrew: צַר (tsar, H6862) — “narrow, tight.” The Hebrew behind ‘distress’ pictures a narrow place. ‘Relieved’ means to make wide, so God leads David out into open space.

See also: Psalm 18:19.

Psalms 4:2

David turns to his opponents. They are dragging his good name into shame. He asks how long they will chase after things that are empty and false, since such pursuits cannot last or satisfy.

BSA: honor (“glory, reputation”): What is attacked is David’s God-given dignity, not only his feelings. vanity (“what is worthless, foolish things”): What they chase is empty and will not satisfy.

Psalms 4:3

The answer to slander is that God has already chosen the godly and made them His own. David’s good name rests on God’s choice, not on public opinion. And the LORD hears when His people call.

BSA: set apart (“chosen, separated”): God has marked out His faithful ones as His own, for Himself.

Hebrew: חָסִיד (chasid, H2623) — “one loyal to God’s covenant love.” ‘Godly’ comes from the Hebrew word for steadfast love (chesed). The godly person answers God’s faithful love with faithfulness of his own.

See also: Psalm 135:4.

Psalms 4:4

Anger comes, but it must not become sin. David tells his opponents to think it over quietly at night, in bed, examining their hearts before God. Silence and self-examination keep anger from turning into wrongdoing.

BSA: search (“examine, commune with”): The heart is to be looked at honestly, in the quiet of the night. still (“silent, quiet”): Hushing the mouth and the restless mind lets conscience speak.

See also: Ephesians 4:26.

Psalms 4:5

Outward worship must go with an honest heart. David urges his opponents to bring sacrifices offered in the right spirit, and to put their trust in the LORD instead of in schemes. Trust is what makes the offering real.

BSA: sacrifices (“proper sacrifices, of righteousnes”): Offerings count when they are given rightly and sincerely, not as empty ritual.

See also: Psalm 51:17.

Psalms 4:6

Many around David are restless and doubtful, asking who will give them anything good. David’s answer is a prayer. The real good is God’s favor, like a face turned toward us in smiling welcome.

BSA: face (“countenance, presence”): To see God’s face shining is to know His favor and nearness. Shine (“lift up, let shine forth”): David asks God to raise the light of His face over His people like a rising sun.

See also: Numbers 6:24-26.

Psalms 4:7

God’s gift inside the heart outweighs outside plenty. Harvest time was the year’s happiest season, with grain and wine in abundance. Yet David’s joy from God is greater, and no bad circumstance can take it away.

BSA: filled (“put, given abundantly”): The joy is a gift God places in the heart, not something David makes himself. joy (“gladness, happiness”): This gladness comes from God’s presence, not from possessions.

Psalms 4:8

The psalm closes with rest. David lies down and sleeps, not because the danger is gone, but because the LORD alone keeps him safe. Peace at night comes from trusting the One who never sleeps.

BSA: peace (“tranquility, rest”): This is the deep wellbeing of a heart at rest, not merely an absence of noise. alone (“only You”): David’s safety depends on God and on nothing else.

Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965) — “wholeness, peace, wellbeing.” ‘Peace’ is shalom, which means more than quiet. It means being whole and at rest under God’s care.

See also: Psalm 3:5; Psalm 121:3-4.