Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms Chapter 4 mean?

Psalm 4 is inspired by the same circumstances as Psalm 3. David’s rebellious son, Absalom, has forced David to flee for his life (2 Samuel 15:13–14).

The choirmaster was the minister of music in the tabernacle or temple; this role is mentioned in the titles of fifty-five psalms.

David begins by praying for grace. He scolds those who oppose him, since they have followed the manipulation of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6). Even as David recognizes their betrayal, he expresses confidence that God has called him. This is both reassurance to David, and a warning to his enemies (Psalm 4:1–3).

Turning to his own followers, David warns against letting emotion drag a person into sin. Even in dire circumstances (Psalm 3:1), believers should not allow their feelings to override their faith. The Hebrew word referring to anger here more literally refers to trembling, shaking, or agitation. Paul famously refers to this when discussing anger (Ephesians 4:26). David’s immediate meaning involves more than uncontrolled rage. It’s important to honor God in humility and faith, rather than letting anger—even righteous anger—lead a person into sin (Psalm 4:4–5).

The end of this psalm praises God for His encouragement. David notes that he has immense joy, thanks to the Lord. Joy is not always the same as happiness, nor does it always come from happy circumstances (James 1:2–4; Luke 6:22–23). Rather, it’s an underlying sense of trust and reassurance, knowing that God is ultimately in control (Psalm 4:6–8).

Chapter Context
Psalm 4 shares themes with Psalm 3. Psalm 3 refers to David’s rising up in the morning, whereas Psalm 4 refers to his nighttime sleep. It seems both Psalm 3 and Psalm 4 were written after David and his followers had left Jerusalem and crossed the Jordan River. At the time, Absalom, David’s son had usurped the throne (2 Samuel 15—18). Despite horrific circumstances, David exercised trust in the Lord, bringing him joy and peace. Psalm 5 also focuses on David’s prayer when his enemies tried to destroy him. When Jesus’ disciples were greatly troubled, He told them not to let their hearts be troubled but instead trust in His Father and in Him (John 14:1). He gave them His supernatural peace (John 14:27). Psalm 17, like Psalm 4, features David’s urgent prayer for deliverance from his enemies.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!You have given me relief when I was in distress.Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

David understands that God is the source of his righteousness. He also understands that God is righteous and therefore cannot do anything wrong. Christians, too, have a righteousness that is not of our own making but comes from God. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 the apostle Paul writes: “For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin, when we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, God sees us as righteous (Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 1:3–10). Further, we can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that God always does what is right. Whatever He allows to impact our lives is for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28–30; James 1:2–4).

David prays earnestly that God will answer his prayer. He affirms that God had given him relief from his enemies in the past and pleads with God to be gracious to him by answering his current prayer.

Context Summary
Psalm 4:1–5 discloses David’s appeal to God for grace, and his appeal to his enemies to stop listening to hollow words and lies. They should recognize that the Lord is on David’s side and answers his prayers. The prayer rises from the occasion referred to in Psalm 3:1. David was surrounded and pursued by his enemies, who supported the rebellious Absalom. Psalm 5 includes a similar prayer from David. Psalm 91 echoes the confidence David expresses in Psalm 3:3–4, 8. Also in Psalm 4:1–5, David gives wise spiritual counsel. He counsels Absalom’s followers to stop listening to Absalom’s lies and to know that the Lord has set David apart for the role of Israel’s king. In addition, David advises his own followers to avoid sinning, to offer sacrifices to the Lord, and to trust in him.

Verse 2. O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

The background of this psalm is the same as that of Psalm 3: the violent rebellion against David’s rule, by his own son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15—18). In this verse David turns his attention to Absalom’s followers. He asks them two questions: How long will you tarnish my reputation? How long will you follow lies?

These men had rejected David’s rule because they allowed Absalom to deceive them. Absalom’s good looks and flattery persuaded many people to reject David, instead supporting Absalom as king. Second Samuel 14:25–26 says, “Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.” Absalom also manipulated popular opinion. He had fifty men run ahead of his chariot. He also sat by the city gate and expressed judgment in favor of anyone coming to the city for judgment in a dispute. Absalom told them their claims were “good and right,” but that there was no representative of the king to hear the dispute; he claimed if he were judge everyone would receive justice (2 Samuel 15:1–5). Absalom successfully stole the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15:6).

Verse 3. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;the Lord hears when I call to him.

David assures Absalom’s followers (2 Samuel 15:13–14) that God had set David apart, and would answer David’s prayers. Absalom wasn’t godly, nor was he the Lord’s chosen king of Israel. David was both godly and the Lord’s anointed king.

To be “set apart” for the Lord is to be distinguished by God as different from the ungodly. The concept of being “set apart” is the essential meaning of terms such as holy and holiness.

In the time of Israel’s slavery in Egypt, the Lord distinguished His people from the Egyptians. Exodus 8:22–23 contains the Lord’s message to Pharaoh. It reads: “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between my people and your people.”

Today, as well, the Lord makes a distinction between His people and unbelievers. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:19: “‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’”

Verse 4. Be angry, and do not sin;ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Some Bible teachers believe this verse and the next (Psalm 4:5) offer counsel to Absalom’s men, David’s enemies (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Verses 2 and 3 appear to be spoken to those foes, so this is possible (Psalm 4:2–3). Other interpreters apply verses 4 and 5 to David’s followers. It seems more likely David is addressing his own men since they’d be more likely to heed his call to be in a right relationship with God. That would include remaining calm in the face of the opposition they faced from David’s enemies (Psalm 3:1).

David advises “Be angry, and do not sin.” This is a classic example of words being difficult to translate easily from one language to another. The Hebrew root word translated as “be angry” here is ragaz, which most literally means “to tremble, shake, quake, or be agitated.” Paul, citing the Septuagint Greek translation of this Psalm, also refers to the idea of anger (Ephesians 4:26). The meaning as implied in Psalm 4 is not merely about out-of-control wrath or fury. Anger, itself, is not a sin—but that emotion must be carefully controlled, as David recommends here.

David’s men could easily let anger control their actions as they thought about their aggressors. Even righteous anger is not meant to lead us towards sin. Instead of risking sin, or giving in to it, David’s men are advised to ponder their ways as they lie in bed and to be calm. Bedtime is a good time to search our hearts and confess the sins of the day. Doing so will help us enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep instead of tossing and turning in an angry or worried state of mind.

If believers honor and trust in God, they do not need to be afraid of aggressive individuals or threatening circumstances. In Psalm 27:1 David proclaims, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Verse 5. Offer right sacrifices,and put your trust in the Lord.

David continues his appeal to his followers (Psalm 4:4) by exhorting them to properly honor God. Of course, David’s followers could not offer sacrifices to the Lord when they were in the wilderness (2 Samuel 15:13–14), but they could do so upon returning to Jerusalem in victory. The tabernacle in Jerusalem was the site where worshipers offered sacrifices to the Lord. Absalom offered sacrifices, but he did so as a hypocrite (2 Samuel 15:12). At the time, he was conspiring to overthrow King David.

God only accepts worship that is offered to Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Although believers today do not offer animal sacrifices, we can offer the sacrifice of our submission: placing our bodies under His authority and control (Romans 12:1), the sacrifice of generous giving (Philippians 4:18), and the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). David encourages his men to place their confidence in the Lord. They were outnumbered by their foes (Psalm 3:1), but the Lord is all powerful, and He rewards those who trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Verse 6. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

Apparently, many of David’s followers were growing weary of living in the wilderness with Absalom’s forces in hot pursuit (2 Samuel 15:13–14; Psalm 3:1). They wondered if they would ever see any good come from their difficult situation.

Discouragement often strikes beleaguered Christians. Trials and persecution can begin to take their toll on our faith. We know Romans 8:28 promises that everything works for together for good for those who love God, but we long to see the evidence that it does. Nevertheless, the Lord instructed that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Also, Galatians 6:9 counsels us to persevere in doing good, promising that “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Knowing many of his followers were becoming discouraged, David prayed for the Lord to shine the light of His face upon him and his men. In other words, he asked the Lord to place His favor upon them. The best way to combat discouragement is to pray for encouragement from God!

Context Summary
Psalm 4:6–8 discloses David’s joy and peace despite being surrounded by enemies. Other psalms include references to God’s face shining in favor (Psalm 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; 119:135). Romans 14:17 and Galatians 5:22 speak of joy and peace as the possessions of those in whom the Holy Spirit lives and reigns. The letter to the Philippians, a prison epistle, overflows with the apostle Paul’s joy and peace, though he was shackled by Roman soldiers. David’s testimony in Psalm 4:7–8 supports the fact that joy and peace do not depend on favorable circumstances but on one’s trust in the Lord.

Verse 7. You have put more joy in my heartthan they have when their grain and wine abound.

Joy is listed in Galatians 5:22–23 as one of the qualities included in the fruit of the Spirit. It is the opposite of discouragement. Joy is not always happiness, or the result of happy circumstances (James 1:2–4; Luke 6:22–23). David’s joy in the midst of peril demonstrates his close relationship with God. He compares his joy to that of farmers at harvest time. They rejoice in having an abundance of grain and wine, but David says his joy exceeds theirs.

Joy accompanies our obedience to Jesus’ commandments (John 15:10–11) and our practice of praying in Jesus’ name (John 16:24). Although some critics of our faith assume that Christianity is dull and drab, it is the opposite. Romans 14:17 describes the kingdom of God as a matter “of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” In Paul’s letter to the Philippians the words “joy” and “rejoice” appear frequently. Like David, the apostle Paul experienced joy amid very difficult circumstances, and we can too.

Verse 8. In peace I will both lie down and sleep;for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Despite the ever-present threats against his life (Psalm 3:1; 2 Samuel 15:13–14), David enjoyed such a close relationship with God that he was able to get a good night’s rest. He trusted the Lord to keep him safe. Instead of tossing and turning at night, he tossed his burdens onto the Lord’s shoulders and turned his troubles over to Him. First Peter 5:7 talks about “casting all your anxieties on [God], because he cares for you.” Philippians 4:6 admonishes us “do not be anxious about anything” and to instead pray with thanksgiving, making our requests known to God. The following verse promises, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Acts 12 includes the account of the arrest of the apostle Peter. King Herod fully expected to kill him the morning following the arrest. However, instead of worrying all night, Peter slept soundly while chained to two guards with sentries posted at his cell’s door. His commitment to the Lord’s will was so strong that he enjoyed such a deep sleep that an angel that was sent to rescue him had to strike him on the side to wake him up. Undoubtedly, a strong trust in the Lord exerts a powerful impact on the ability to sleep soundly.

End of Psalm 4.

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