Psalms 4:1 - Meaning and Application

The title of the psalm tells us that David wrote it by divine inspiration for the church’s use. He then gave it to the chief musician, or master of the song, who led that worship service. In David’s time, the singing was carefully ordered, with different groups of singers and their own leaders, as 1 Chronicles 25 shows. Some sang by the king’s direction, some with a harp to give thanks and praise the Lord, and some were to lift up the horn. All of them were appointed for song in the house of the Lord and were trained in the songs of the Lord.

This psalm was given to one of the leaders to be sung with stringed instruments, called neginoth, played by hand (Habakkuk 3:19). It seems that in those days only the choir sang, not the whole people. But in the New Testament, all Christians are told to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and they are expected to do it fittingly, not showily. For that reason, there is not now as much need for instruments as there was then. The melody is meant to be made in the heart.

In these verses, David first speaks to God. Whether the sons of men listen or not, he hopes and prays that God will hear him and answer in peace: “Hear me when I call, and accept my worship, grant my requests, and judge my appeals; have mercy on me, and hear me.” Every kind answer God gives to our prayers comes from his mercy, not from our merit. “Hear me for your mercy’s sake” is our best plea.

David then gives two reasons for his request. First, “You are the God of my righteousness.” God is not only righteous himself, but also the one who gives him righteous desires and actions. By grace, God has worked that good in him and made him a righteous man. So David asks God to hear him and show that his own work in him is real. God is also the defender of David’s right cause, the protector of his innocent name, the one he trusts to bring out his righteousness like light. When people wrongly condemn us, this is our comfort: it is God who justifies, that is, who declares the believer right.

Second, David says, “You have enlarged me when I was in distress.” God had widened his heart with holy joy and comfort under pressure, and he had also enlarged his condition by bringing him out of trouble. So David uses that past mercy as a plea for present help. What God has done before is strong encouragement to trust him again, and a good reason to pray, “You have done it before, so will you not do it again? You are God, and you do not change.”

Next, David speaks to the children of men, meaning those who are still strangers to God and who will not have the Messiah, the Son of David, rule over them. He wants to convince them of the folly of their sin. “O sons of men,” he says, meaning either men of high rank or people in general, “how long will you oppose me and remain against my rule, following false and baseless stories from those who wish me harm?” More broadly, God is reasoning with sinners through the psalmist, calling them to repentance. If they keep neglecting God and his worship, and keep rejecting the kingdom of Christ and his rule, they should think carefully about what they are doing.

First, they lower themselves. They are called sons of men, meaning human beings, noble creatures with reason and understanding. So they should act in a way that fits their nature, not in a foolish and unworthy way. Let the sons of men think and act like men. Second, they dishonor their Maker and turn his glory into shame. God’s honor is wounded when sinners break his commands, reject his grace, and give the love and service due to him alone to created things. Those who treat God’s holy name carelessly, mock his word and ordinances, and claim to know him while denying him in their lives do all they can to turn his glory into shame.

Third, they deceive themselves. They love what is empty, and they seek after lies, or what will turn out to be a lie. They are themselves empty and false, and they love to live that way. Or, they set their hearts on things that will finally prove to be vanity and a lie. Those who love the world and seek only earthly things love vanity and chase lies. So do those who live for the pleasures of the body and the riches of this world, because those things will fail them and ruin them. “How long will you do this? Will you never be wise for yourselves, never think about your duty and your true good? When will you begin?” God sees the length of time sinners go on dishonoring him and ruining themselves.

David then shows the special favor God has for good people, the special protection they enjoy, and the privileges they receive. This is part of his warning to the wicked. They should not oppose or persecute someone who belongs to God, and they should not expect to bring him down. It is dangerous to offend one of these little ones whom God has set apart for himself (Matthew 18:6). God counts anyone who hurts them as touching the apple of his eye, and he will make their enemies answer for it in time. They have a place in heaven, God hears them, and therefore no one should dare do them harm, for God hears their cry and defends their cause (Exodus 22:23).

Many think David is speaking here about his own appointment to the throne. He is the godly man whom the Lord set apart for that honor, and he did not seize it for himself. So the opposition against him and his rise was deeply wrong, because it was really fighting against God, and it would not succeed. In the same way, God has set apart the Lord Jesus for himself, that merciful One. Those who try to block his advance will surely fail, because the Father always hears him.

Or, as a reason they should become good and stop following the advice of the ungodly: “You have so far chased after emptiness; be truly religious, and you will be truly happy here and forever.” For, first, God will keep his own people for himself. The Lord has set apart the godly person, every one of them, for himself in his eternal choice, in his effective call, and in the special workings of his providence and grace. His people are purified for him, a people set apart for his own use.

Godly people are God’s separated, sealed ones. He knows who belongs to him, and he has marked them with his image and name. He also gives them special favor. “They shall be mine,” says the Lord, “in the day when I make up my jewels.” Godly people should know this, and never turn away from the God to whom they belong. Wicked people should know it too, and be careful not to harm those whom God protects.

Second, God will secure for you a place with himself. David says this in his own case: “The Lord will hear when I call to him.” We would think ourselves fortunate to have the ear of an earthly ruler. How much more worth it is, then, to gain the ear of the King of kings, and to do so on such easy terms? Let us know this truth, and leave behind false riches for our own good.

He also warns them against sin and urges them to drive it out by fear and by serious thought: “Stand in awe, and sin not” that is, be angry and sin not, as the Septuagint says, and some think Paul took this exhortation from here (Ephesians 4:26). “Talk with your own hearts; be changed, and, in order to that, think carefully and fear.” We must not sin, and miss our path and our goal. One good cure for sin is reverent fear. Some read it as, “Be moved,” which stands against carelessness and false security. Keep a holy respect for God’s glory and majesty, and a holy dread of his wrath and curse. Do not dare to provoke him.

One good way to keep from sin and to preserve this holy fear is to spend time seriously talking with our own hearts. Talk with your hearts, because you have much to say to them. You can speak with them at any time, so do not let the matter pass. A thoughtful person is well on the way to becoming wise and good. Examine your hearts by careful self-reflection, so you may know them better and correct what is wrong. Use them for solemn, godly meditation. Let your thoughts fix on what is good and stay there.

David also gives directions for doing this well. Choose a quiet time. Do it when you lie awake on your bed. Before you turn over to sleep at night, examine your conscience about what you have done that day, especially what you have done wrong, so that you may repent of it. If you wake in the night, meditate on God and on the things that belong to your peace. David practiced what he teaches here, saying, “I remember you on my bed” (Psalm 63:6). On a sickbed especially, we should consider our ways and talk with our own hearts about them.

He also says, “Be still.” Calm yourself into a serious frame of mind. When you have asked your conscience a question, be quiet and wait for an answer. Even in troubled times, keep your spirit calm and settled.

He then urges them to make conscience of their duty: “Offer the sacrifice of righteousness.” We must not only stop doing evil, but also learn to do good. Those who were turned against David and his rule would soon come to a better mind and return to loyalty if they would only worship God rightly. And those who know the issues between themselves and God will be glad of the Mediator, the Son of David, meaning the one who stands between God and people and brings them together.

This calls on each of us, first, to serve God. “Offer sacrifices to him,” your whole selves first, and then your best sacrifices. But they must be sacrifices of righteousness, meaning good works, all the fruits of a heart ruled by love for God and neighbor, and all the parts of a godly life. These are better than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Let all your acts of worship come from an honest heart. Let all your gifts to others be sacrifices of righteousness. God will not accept the sacrifices of the unrighteous; they are hateful to him (Isaiah 1:11).

Second, it calls on us to trust in him. First make it your duty to offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and then you are welcome to trust in the Lord. Serve God without distrust, and without fear that you will lose by doing so. Honor him by trusting him alone, not your wealth or human strength. Trust his providence, and do not lean on your own understanding. Trust his grace, and do not try to set up your own righteousness or ability.

When we sing these verses, we should preach to ourselves the dangerous nature of sin, the empty promises of the world, and the great happiness of God’s people. We should also press on ourselves the duties of fearing God, speaking honestly with our own hearts, and offering spiritual sacrifices. When we pray over these verses, we should ask God for grace to think this way and live this way.