After David penned this song by divine inspiration, he gave it to the chief musician for use in worship to God. 1 Chronicles 25:1, 7 tells us that “David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals.” “The number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288.”
In Ephesians 5:19, the Lord says to “speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
David asks God, “Hear me when I call.” He wants mercy. He wants to be heard by God.
He acknowledges that his righteousness is from God. Both prophet and apostle proclaim this Gospel. Jeremiah 33:16 says, “In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul wrote, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness...” And in 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul wrote, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
The Lord enlarged David in distress. Some translations say, “relieved,” but the Hebrew word is רָחַב (rachab) which means to broaden or enlarge. In Psalm 119, David testifies of God using afflictions to enlarge him... make him better. Psalm 119:67 – Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word.” Psalm 119:71 – “It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:75 – “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” Psalm 119:107 – “I am afflicted very much. Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.”
Hebrews 5:8 says of Jesus, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” This verse speaks of when Jesus walked among us in human flesh. His flesh was severely tested by fasting for 40 days, by a rocking boat on a stormy sea, by scourging, beatings and crucifixion.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, the Lord spoke to Paul during a time of distress. He said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Thus, Paul wrote to other Christians and said, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah!” Psalm 4:2
He asks the sons of men how long will they continue to be ashamed to glorify God.
Verse 2 of the hymn “Jesus! And Shall It Ever Be” by Joseph Grigg, (1722-1768) says:
“Ashamed of Jesus? Sooner far
Let evening blush to own a star.
He sheds the beams of light divine
O’er this benighted soul of mine.”
Professing your faith in Jesus produces great joy for your soul!
“How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?” In Philippians 3:18-20, Paul lamented, “Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
People who have not experienced the love of Christ coming to and through them, may think they are “blessed” to enjoy the pleasures of this world while others, like Paul, labor to bring the Kingdom of God to people, but not so. Paul wept for those whose only god is their belly and whose end is destruction.
“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly. The Lord will hear when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3
Hebrews 7:26 says that Jesus was set apart... “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.” It is in Christ that our sins are forgiven. He baptizes us with His Holy Spirit. His Spirit reveals truth to us. He empowers us to walk and talk like He walked and talked.
The Lord hears me when I call. Jesus said to the Father in John 11:41-42, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
The setting apart of a person to be godly is a work of God’s grace. In John 15:16, Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you.” In John 17:6, 8, Jesus said to our Father, “I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” The sign of a person set apart for God is his or her faith in Christ.
“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Selah!” Psalm 4:4
Ephesians 4:26 says, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
In the prayer that the Lord taught us, we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive the trespasses of others.” We have offended God greatly by our sins, and yet, He forgave us. Just think of Jesus being crucified unjustly by wicked men! He asked the Father to forgive those who tortured Him and were bringing about His death. “Lord Jesus, please help us to be so gracious!”
David said to meditate within your heart on your bed. I find that when I meditate on and thank God for all the good He has done for me in a day, I fall to sleep peacefully. In Psalm 63:6, David remembered God while on his sick bed.
“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord.” Psalm 4:5
Christ offered to God the Father a perfect sacrifice for us. Hebrews 7:28 says, “For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.” Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 12:22-24 says, “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Christians trust in the righteous sacrifice of Christ to make us perfect before God.
“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” Psalm 4:6-7
The flesh wants to see food. Food is the good it seeks. But the soul longs for communion with the Creator of food. Consumption of sumptuous food never satisfies the hunger of the soul as He does. Only fellowship with Christ yields this type of exceedingly great overflow of gladness.
The Matthew Henry Commentary says, “David wanted to see the light of God’s countenance. He sets himself apart by what He seeks. The wealth of the world will never satisfy my soul. Christ taught us to pray, ‘Our Father.’ In God's favor there is enough for us all and we shall have never the less for others sharing in what we have.”
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep. For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
It is not uncommon for people to think about eternity before falling to sleep. Have you heard the prayer, “Now, I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” There’s nothing we can do once we are dead to transfer our soul from earth to heaven. Only God can do that! That’s why having a personal relationship with Christ yields gladness. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” In Christ, we have the inner witness that our soul is in God’s hands, those nailed scarred hands, and He will bring us to be with Him when we breathe our last breath here on earth.
It will be for us who believe in Jesus as David said in Psalm 17:15, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
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