Psalm 4

Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.
Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.
Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

• Psalm 4:1-8

Type of Psalm

Psalms of Affliction: Psalms where the psalmist is crying out in pain or distress, asking God where He is in the psalmist’s time of need.  But no matter how dire the circumstances or how long the lament, there seems to always be a word of praise.  Otherwise, why do we go to God in such times, other than to recognize Him as the only one who can help us?

Didactic: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“David was a preacher and many of his psalms are doctrinal and practical as well as devotional. The greatest part of this psalm is so. Here, I. David begins with a short prayer (ver. 1) and that prayer preaches. II. He directs his speech to the children of men, and, 1. In God’s name reproves them for the dishonour they do to God and the damage they do their own souls, ver. 2. 2. He sets before them the happiness of godly people, for their encouragement to be religious, ver. 3. 3. He calls upon them to consider their ways, ver. 4. III. He exhorts them to serve God and trust in him, ver. 5. IV. He gives an account of his own experiences of the grace of God working in him.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 4:3 ‘Do not persecute God’s anointed’: “When David wrote this psalm, he had been pestered and troubled by certain ungodly men who had made a mockery of what was his greatest delight. They had turned his glory into shame and had proved they loved folly and falsehood. So he said to them, ‘How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?’ (4:2). In order that he might stop them from angering him, he reminded them of the two great facts stated in this verse. Why did David want these men to know those two facts? First, that they might cease to oppose him, for, if they knew that the man they mocked was really a child of God, set apart by the Most High by a divine choice to be his own favored one, surely they would not go on with their persecution. Those who put Christ to death did it in ignorance, ‘because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory’ (1Co 2:8). And we are persuaded that many who now oppose the servant of God would not do so if they knew he really was a servant of God and that God looked on him with delight.
“David’s second reason was to describe the choice privileges of the people of God. He has set them apart for himself. For what purpose? That they may be his friends and that he may converse with them. God does not usually come to this earth to talk with kings and princes—the greatest king is but a brother worm like the rest of us—but God has often been here to converse and commune with his poor people. If men are faithful, whether they are rich or poor, God has fellowship with them. Thousands at this moment are speaking with God, but all of them are godly people. And God is speaking to them. The Holy Spirit is holding high communion with many of the sons and daughters of Adam but only with those who are faithful. Even now there is a great gulf between God and the ungodly. Their backs are turned to him, and at the last he will bid them keep on doing what they have been doing. He will say to them, ‘Depart from me, you cursed.’ But his people are always coming, coming, coming to him, and at the last he will bid them continue to do what they are now doing, for to them he will say, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father.’ ”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

My Thoughts

This psalm is in five parts.  David laments for relief.  The people wander.  They should not sin, and they should sacrifice righteous gifts.  We must weigh prosperity versus the joy God provides.  And then a last thought that the righteous sleep and dwell in safety.

As Matthew Henry wrote, David is a good preacher.  The people are delusional.  They chase after false gods.  They pray for more and more prosperity, not realizing that God provides our needs.  We need no excess for that rainy day.

We should search our hearts and give to God the proper sacrifice.  But would it not be better to not sin in the first place?

But in the end, for many people who have trouble sleeping at night, getting a good night’s sleep in comfort and safety is much more important than financial gain or continuously chasing that dream of wealth that never comes.  Often that is why we chase after false gods.

Psalm 5

Listen to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
    you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    toward your holy temple.
Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
    with their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

• Psalm 5:1-12

Type of Psalm

Psalms of Affliction: Psalms where the psalmist is crying out in pain or distress, asking God where He is in the psalmist’s time of need.  But no matter how dire the circumstances or how long the lament, there seems to always be a word of praise.  Otherwise, why do we go to God in such times, other than to recognize Him as the only one who can help us?

Didactic: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Imprecatory psalms (5:10): Asking for vengeance against enemies.  From the two examples above, these requests for vengeance are usually not specific in how God does it.  I have written about this type of psalm or prayer in that they are legitimate requests to God.  We know that God will eventually stamp out all evil in the world.  Praying that God would do as He promises that He will eventually do is legitimate, but when a face is applied to that evil, our first reaction should be one of forgiveness and mercy.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“This psalm is a prayer, a solemn address to God, at a time when the psalmist was brought into distress by the malice of his enemies. I. David settles a correspondence between his soul and God, promising to pray, and promising himself that God would certainly hear him, ver. 1-3. II. He gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort, of God’s holiness, ver. 4—6. III. He declares his resolution to keep close to the public worship of God, ver. 7. IV. He prayed, 1. For himself, that God would guide him, ver. 8. 2. Against his enemies, that God would destroy them, ver. 9, 10. 3. For all the people of God, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe, ver. 11, 12.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 5:11 ‘Holiness combined with Joy’: “Christians should take care that we exhibit both holiness of character and joyfulness of spirit, for where these two things are in us and abound, they prove that we are not barren or unfruitful. Our joy should strikingly contrast with the unrest of the unbeliever. Note, first, concerning this joy, that it is to be universal to all who trust: ‘Let all … rejoice.’ This is not only for the healthy but also for the sick—not only for the successful but also for the disappointed. It is not only for those who have the bird in the hand but also for those who only see it in the bush.
“Second, this joy is to be as constant as it is universal. The believer has abiding arguments for abiding consolation. Next, our joy is to be manifested. ‘Let them shout for joy forever.’ Some Christians are good enough people; they are like wax candles, but they are not lit. Oh, for a touch of flame! Finally this joy is logical. It arises because we find ‘refuge’ and ‘shelter’ in the Lord. Emotions are not fired by logic, and yet reasons furnish fuel for the flame. A man may be sad though he cannot explain his sadness, or he may be greatly glad though he cannot set forth the reasons for his joy. But the joy oi a believer in God has a firm foundation; it is not the baseless fabric of a vision. The joy of faith burns like coals, and yet it can be calmly explained and justified. The joyful believer is no lunatic, carried away by a delusion; he has a ‘because’ with which to account for all his joy.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from his sermon notes

My Thoughts

David’s prayer is a lament.  David is faithful.  He is reverent.  He waits for God’s answer to his prayers.

In the meantime, the wicked are evil, arrogant, doing wrong, telling lies, bloodthirsty and deceitful – all the things God detests.

Instead, I go home and bow down in prayer.

But then, David goes back to mention that his enemies cannot be trusted, are filled with malice, and they lie, which he had already mentioned.

Then David has an imprecatory verse.  David does not ask for God to dismember them.  He does not ask for the right to trample upon their graves.  He basically says what Hell is all about for those who rebel against God.  For those who are not forgiven, their sins will be their downfall.  They will be found guilty and banished from the sight of God.

People argue against imprecatory prayers, but should we not ask God for the justice that He Himself has promised for those who do not accept Him into their hearts?

And then, whenever David laments for a while, he turns to praise.  In this praise he focuses on Joy.

And what brings us Joy?  God is our protection.  God is our refuge.  We can rejoice because God is like a shield as He protects us.

Psalm 6

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?
Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?
I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.
Away from me, all you who do evil,
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

• Psalm 6:1-10

Type of Psalm

Penitential psalms:  Penitential psalms relate to penitence, but more specifically confession.

Imprecatory psalms (6:10): Asking for vengeance against enemies.  From the two examples above, these requests for vengeance are usually not specific in how God does it.  I have written about this type of psalm or prayer in that they are legitimate requests to God.  We know that God will eventually stamp out all evil in the world.  Praying that God would do as He promises that He will eventually do is legitimate, but when a face is applied to that evil, our first reaction should be one of forgiveness and mercy.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“David was a weeping prophet as well as Jeremiah, and this psalm is one of his lamentations: it was penned at a time of great trouble, both outward and inward. Is any afflicted? ls any sick? Let him sing this psalm.  He begins with doleful complaints, but ends with joyful praises. Three things the psalmist is here complaining of: 1. Sickness of body. 2. Trouble of mind. 3. The insults of his enemies upon occasion of both. Now here, I. He pours out his complaints before God, deprecates his wrath, and begs earnestly for the return of his favour, ver. 1-7. II. He assures himself of an answer of peace, shortly, to his full satisfaction, ver. 8—l0. This psalm is like the book of Job.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 6:2, 7 ‘bones … eyes’: “Many assume that, because the psalmist mentions bodily ‘parts,’ his affliction was a grave physical illness. Obviously, his circumstances would have had an affect on his physical dimension. However, in OT anthropology such references are picturesque metaphors for an affliction of his total being (cf. all the parallel, personal references, e.g., ‘me,’ ‘my soul,’ i.e., my being or person, e.g. ‘I,’).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

My Thoughts

Matthew Henry’s final statement in his summary above pretty much says it all.  This psalm is like the book of Job.  Woe is me.  Please, Lord, listen to my pleas.

David starts out by asking God to not rebuke nor discipline him, of course in wrath or anger.

Odd, David does not say, “Lord, I have sinned.  Please forgive me.”  But why else would God rebuke or discipline.  Why else would God be angry with little ol’ me?

While this psalm of lament has no clear section where David sheds the sackcloth and ashes to praise God, the entire psalm is about the mercy of God.  Slow to anger, quick to deliver, God has unfailing love for us.

Just before the imprecatory statement, David claims that God has heard his weeping and has answered his prayers.

But what is the imprecatory statement this time?  David wants his enemies to be brought to shame and anguish.

Let’s be honest.  For many people, me included, I did not know that I was not right with God until I realized my own shame and anguish.  We should be praying that all our enemies have shame and anguish.  For most of our enemies, it may not change a thing, but for a few, they may realize in their shame that they were on the wrong track.  They may then turn to God themselves.

Some imprecatory statements are not telling God to be brutal to our enemies so that we can look from Heaven and see our enemies in Hell and laugh.  No!  They are praying that these people see their sin as sin, and that they need God in their lives.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Psalm 4

“1. Does your anger flash hot or burn slow? ls Paul asking too much when he quotes ‘in your anger do not sin’ (see Eph 4:26)? How do you manage it?
“2. What is your biggest source of stress? Where lies your confidence?
“3. Do disloyal people get you down? What does it mean to yield your rights, needs and feelings to God?”

Psalm 5

“1. Paul applies verse 9 to everyone (see Ro 3:13). Do you deserve such an indictment? Considering your own wrongdoing, deceit and violence, what are you praying for: Justice or mercy? Why?
“2. Why pray for the same thing day after day? How can you tell if God is answering ‘Wait’ or ‘No’? Why do you persist?
“3. How (when? where?) could you build this ‘morning watch’ into your daily routine? ls a routine for everyone?
“4. What situation are you now facing, where you could use help from God and your group?”

Psalm 6

“1. Have you ever worried about your health, prayed for healing and not received it, or been sick with grief? How so?
“2. What in your life makes you cry out ‘How long, O Lord’? Why is God waiting?
“3. Do you ever see God as an ‘angry judge’? Does this psalm add to your despair or your hope?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

There is one set of questions for each psalm.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.