The Book of Psalms

Psalm 4

Psalm IV · Vol. II, p. 990

1 David prayeth God to hear him. 2 He reproveth and exhorteth his enemies. 6 Man's happiness consisteth in God's favour.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief¹ musician on ^aNeginoth, A psalm of David.

1 Hear me when I call, O ^bGod of my righteousness:² thou ^chast enlarged me when I was in distress;³ have mercy upon me;⁴ and hear my prayer.

1 Or, overseer.

a Is.38.20. Ps.vi.lv.lvi.lxi. Hab.3.19.

b Jn.1.29. 2 Co.5.21. Ps.26.1,2. Is.45.24.

2 None but Christ hath righteousness (comp. Ro. 3. 10, with 5. 17), therefore he who can call upon the 'God of his righteousness' is Christ.—C.

c Job 36.16. Ps.18.19; 40.1-3; 116.16.

3 The psalmist has had experience of divine mercy and power exercised on his behalf. Past experience begets present confidence, and in the sequel he predicts his triumph.—P.

4 Or, be gracious unto me, Ps.57.1-3; 56.1; 106.4,5.

2 O ye ^dsons of men, how long will ye turn my^e glory⁵ into shame? how long ^gwill ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

d Ps.58.1; 82.1,6.

e Ps.3.3; 30.12. Job 29.20.

5 The glory of Christ was his Godhead manifested in the flesh (Jn.17.5), with the ministration of the Spirit promised to his church, 2 Co. 3. 7. The shame was the cross to which he was condemned, and which is still an object of reproach to Jew and Gentile, 1 Co. 1. 23. He. 12. 2,13, 14.—C.

g Jonah 2.8. Ps.2.1,2.

3 But know that the LORD ^hhath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD ⁱwill hear when I call unto him.

h 2 Ti.2.19. 2 Sa.7.16. Ex.33.16. 2 Ch.16.9. Ep.1.4.

i Ps.3.4; 34.4,6,15.

4 Stand^j in awe, and sin not: ^kcommune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

j Ep.4.26. Je.5.22.

k Ps.77.6; 63.6. 2 Co.13.5.

5 Offer ^lthe sacrifices of righteousness; and putⁿ your trust in the LORD.

l Ps.50.14; 51.19. De.33.19. Mal.1.11,14. Is.61.8.

n Ps.2.12; 115.9-15. Is.26.4. Job 13.15.

6 There be ^omany that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, ^plift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

o Phi.3.18,19; 2.21. Ps.17.14.

p Ps.80.3,7,19; 119.135; 21.6; 44.3; 67.1. Nu.6.25,26. Job 29.3.

7 Thou ^qhast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

q 1 Pe.1.8. Is.61.10. Ps.43.4, with Ju.9.27. Is.9.3. Je.48.33.

8 I ^rwill both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

r Job 11.18. Ps.3.5. Le.25.18; 26.5. De.12.10; 33.27-29. Eze.34.25. Ho.2.18. Pr.3.24.

Notes

Ver. 6. Who will show us. The word us here discovers the believing church offering the only 'sacrifices of righteousness,' a confident reliance upon the finished work and gracious countenance of her Lord, 2 Co. 4.6; He. 9. 23; 1 Pe. 2. 5. C.

Reflections.—In every distress God is a safe refuge to flee to: and the more of his kindness we have experienced, the more bold ought to be our prayers and the stronger our faith. But base is the work, contemptible the character, and vile the desires of the wicked, when compared with those of the godly. What fear of God and his judgments, what serious self-examination, what cordial dedication to God through Christ, are necessary in them that are saved! The wishes of the unregenerate are senseless and sensual: but exalted are the desires, readily granted the felicity, and unmoved the rest of them who firmly believe.