The Passion Translation | Study | Dr. Brian Simmons

Lesson 4 / Psalm 4: An Evening Prayer for Help ​

For the Pure and Shining One. For the end. A melody by King .

“No matter what happens, I will live unafraid.” (v.8) This precious declaration of Psalm 4 is the inheritance of all God’s devoted ones. And, oh, what a treasure it is! Far beyond any earthly wealth or material source of security is the blessed confidence of knowing that God sees us, hears us, and will answer our cries for help. We are not orphans!

This is the first of fifty-five Psalms addressed in the inscription: to The Chief Choir Director, or Choirmaster. For believers today, we know that the Chief (Head) musician is Jesus Christ! He is the Director of music who sings in the midst of His people (Heb.2:12). He is also the Chief Cornerstone as well as the Chief Shepherd who spent the night watch praying to the Father and was heard out of His distress.

This psalm is known as the Hymn of the Evening. The reads, “For the end”, however in Hebrew it is rendered “smitings” or “plucking strings.”

During the days of Absalom’s rebellion, David ran from Jerusalem and slept out in the fields. Perhaps it was written the evening after writing . This is a prayer for help as evening closes in. David, in whatever situation he was in, found himself desperately needing God’s help. It is a melody of David composed in a difficult situation. Psalm 4 describes an innocent person being defamed and accused. After pouring out his true feelings to God, peaceful sleep was granted.

As in Psalm 3, there are four stanzas with two verses each (“” being omitted at the end of the third stanza). The flow of this psalm is from lament to leaning on God, from distress to quiet confidence. It reflects the anquish of the innocent and oppressed. This is the Psalm of sustaining faith.

Another title of this psalm could be: ‘Peace! Be Still!’ What security and peace we have in Him, our “Champion Defender”! The world and the enemy may accuse or taunt us in our darkest hour by saying that we have no helper, just as they did King David...but, “May we never forget that the Lord works wonders for every one of his devoted lovers. And this is how I know that he will answer my every prayer.” (v.3) As you study this week, let the beautiful truth that He works wonders for you because you are His “devoted lover” fill your heart! Let your faith soar on His love—be inspired to pray and ask even more!

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Outline:

V. 1-2 A Cry to God

V. 3-4 Before Going to Bed

V. 5-6 Trusting in the Lord

V. 7-8 Greater JOY

Prayer is a central theme in this song as well as the key to unlock heaven’s joy. Anxiety from accusation is silenced by agreeing with heaven through prayer. Notice throughout the Psalm how prayer turns the heart back to the quiet place. There are some days in your life that require a song like this to be sung in the evening.

A Cry to God (v.1-2)

V. 1) “God, you’re my Righteousness, my Champion Defender. Answer me when I cry for help! Whenever I was in distress you enlarged me. Now, I’m being squeezed again—I need your kindness right away! Grant me grace, hear my prayer and set me free!”

David is looking for the light of God’s face. He does not cry for judgment to fall on his wayward son or the rebellious gang that was pursuing him. Though hurt by an injured innocence, David resolves to seek the God of Righteousness. Prayer is the true therapy for a troubled heart. Artificial relief by other means cannot settle our hearts over the long term. Can you see how “distress” is meant to lead you to prayer? God will enlarge our heart to seek Him, even in a tight place. David focused on the interior life and sought out relief through intercession.

God is David’s Champion Defender. David trusts in the verdict of justice as he appeals to heaven. When we make God our defense, we can never be more safe. As God’s friend, David cried, “Answer me!” He was not praying to sound good to others, he was praying to move the heart of God. True prayer is asking and receiving. We must believe for an answer, not just listen to ourselves talk. David’s appeal is honest. He told the Lord what he really felt. He comes to the One who knows the situation perfectly. You can tell God exactly what you feel. David’s appeal is balanced. He knows that he himself is in need of mercy. He does not pray for fire to fall on his enemies but for mercy to fall on his heart. Out of weakness, David was made strong. He touched heaven with the words: “Hear my prayer!”

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V. 2) “Listen to me, you elite among men: How long will you defame my honor and drag it down into shame? Will you ever stop insulting me? How long will you set your heart on shadows, chasing your lies and delusions? Pause in his presence.”

David’s thoughts are interrupted as he prays. He turns his thoughts to Shimei, Ahithophel, and all his foes. They had trampled his honor as king into the dust, refusing him the allegiance that king David deserved. They had loved the lies of Absalom.

However, this verse could be the words spoken by God Himself in the midst of David’s pain. Or perhaps Jesus Christ quoted this verse as He left the Temple with a heavy heart over all the folly of vain worship. The people of the earth have taken God’s glory [Jesus Christ] and replaced it with the vain idols and gods of this world. The lies and delusion of darkness has gripped the fallen hearts of men, and now the world chases after fantasies and false gods. See Romans 1:21-23.

Before Going to Bed (v.3-4)

V. 3) “May we never forget that the LORD works wonders for every one of his devoted lovers. And this is how I know that he will answer my every prayer.”

There is something you must never forget: God has a special purpose and plan for those who are pure in heart. They will be the hands and feet of Jehovah on the earth. They are set apart for God’s pleasure. The godly will be kept safe, sure, and steadfast by the mercy of the Lord. Believers today have been chosen and set apart for God before they were even born (Eph.1:4). Just as you set apart and guard those things that are precious to you, so the Lord has set you apart as His jewel and treasure.

Knowing that you have been set apart is a great encouragement for prayer. The Lord will hear as the “set apart ones” cry unto Him. This is the Tabernacle of David—men and women of righteousness being set apart for prayer, worship and intercession night and day.

The wonders that the Lord works for his devoted lovers is through prayer. As we cry out to Him, we know that He will answer our every prayer. One of the marks of being set apart for God is the longing to pray and the desire to be used in intercession. Jesus, the Set Apart One, knew that the Father would always answer His prayer when He called unto Him (John 11:42).

V. 4) “Tremble in awe before the Lord and do not sin; be still upon your bed and search your hearts before him. Pause in his presence.”

Our hearts tremble in awe before the Lord when we come before Him. To consider Him is to bring a deep reverence and humility into our lives. David knows that God will come close and bring deliverance, yet his heart is in awe of God. He knows that this awe is what keeps the soul from sin.

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There are many times in life when trouble is brewing around us. Our only resource is to trust the Lord and commit to Him. But prayer is easily shut down when the heart is angry. Notice the connection of verses 3 & 4. Through prayer David could deal with the anger that would arise as he contemplated his enemies. But now David is set apart and clean. Only one freed from anger could speak like this. At a low moment of David’s life, when he could have been filled with revenge and anger, he turned to prayer and worship. This qualified the king to exhort you and I.

The apostle Paul quotes from this verse from the Septuagint in his letter to the Ephesians: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Is there an anger that is not sinful? Only if it is immediately brought to the glorious God and left before Him. Bedtime is always the right time to clear your heart of anger and stress. Each evening we have an opportunity given by God to commune with Him on our bed, to search our heart and be still before Him. We must silence the passions that lead to anger. This should be the pause that restores and refreshes our souls.

Trusting in the Lord (v.5-6)

V. 5) “Bring to Yahweh the sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in Him.”

What are the “right sacrifices” that we can offer to the Lord? It is to silence the raging heart and trust in the Lord. The sacrifice of righteousness is offered when our heart is right with God and with a sincere heart. As believers today, we bring to God only one right sacrifice and that is Jesus Christ. He is the Right Sacrifice who brings peace and cleansing to our soul. Through Him, all that we offer to God is right and pure in His eyes. Our motive matters to God. When we bring our gifts (sacrifices) with clean hearts and with only the motive of glorifying God, our “sacrifice” is sanctified and made holy. Our trust in Him (faith) makes whatever offering we bring to God acceptable in His eyes. Faith makes our actions holy.

V. 6) “Lord, prove them wrong when they say, “God can’t help you.” Let the light of your radiant face break through and shine upon us.”

Doubts come in the darkness of night. If our heart is troubled, we seem to trust in fear rather than in the strong confidence that His shining face is enough. The only One who can help us is Jesus Christ. As we walk in His life-source, the goodness of Christ comes into our inner man. Virtue is born in the heart that trusts in Him! Others disappoint, Jesus satisfies. The light of His countenance is stamped upon us (Numbers 6:24-26).

Greater Joy (v.7-8)

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V. 7) “The joyous pleasure that you give me surpasses the gladness of harvest time, even more than when the harvesters gaze upon their ripened grain and when their new wine overflows.”

The life of Christ fills our hearts with joy! When we trust and walk before His shining face, we have a greater joy than this world can give. The joy fountain springs up when we trust in Him (John 16:24, Rom.15:13). Christ in the heart is greater than grain in the barn and wine in the vat. Outward comforts will diminish and fade away, but our delight in Christ grows brighter and brighter (Prov. 4:23). The joy that is coming to the church will be the joy of a vast harvest with new wine overflowing. A great joy is coming!

V. 8) “Now, because of you, Lord, I will lay down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid.”

This is a statement of faith and resolution. No matter what is around me, “I WILL lie down.” I will make my flesh respond to the Prince of Peace who lives inside of me. A quiet conscience makes a good night’s sleep. God alone must be the One who keeps us safe and secure. No pillow is softer than this promise—“God is with me.” Jesus gave up His spirit on the cross and bowed His head. Jesus lay down and slept the sleep of death for you and I. He was the only One on Calvary’s mountain that had peace. The Father was the One who watched over the events of the crucifixion and insured that Jesus would arise in safety and sovereignty three days later. The sinless Saviour knew this sleep and knew this peace.

You and I must lie down. Our flesh, our sinful nature must die. True peace comes from yielding to the Spirit and setting aside our flesh. Jesus must be the One in whom we rest. He is our Sabbath, our true place of peace. Are you ready to turn away from the clamor of the world and die to self? This is the only place peace will be found.

On the night preceding the execution of Nicholas Ridly (1500-1555), Bishop of London, his brother offered to pass the last hours in his company, but the bishop refused, saying that he would go to bed and sleep as quietly as he ever did in his life, quoting Psalm 4:8: “I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for it is You Lord, only, that makes me dwell in safety.” The next morning he was chained to the stake in the town ditch and gave his life to the flames.

Are you confused by the spiritual attacks that have come against you? Do what David did and you will find what David found:

He cried out to God and expected an answer.

He realized that it was not an earthly, physical foe coming against him but the spirit of false gods (spiritual powers of darkness).

Remind your enemies that God will take care of you.

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David recognized God’s sovereign choice of his life, for he was one set apart for God.

All of this brought him back to the place of intercession. He used his favor with God to pray knowing that God would respond. David realized the past mercy means present favor.

Use of Psalm 4 for the Tabernacle of David:

Psalm 4 is usually classified as a Psalm of lament but perhaps it would be better described as a psalm of confidence. It is a testimony of one who has found security and strength in resting in God. There are shades of the truths found in Romans 8:34 here in this Psalm.

This is a piece of sacred poetry meant to minister to those who endure injustice, suffering, and oppression. It is a song flowing back and forth from pain to resolution, cries of anquish, to quiet confidence. Full of emotion, it is a psalm of lament, but with an incredibly serene and resolved ending.

This is obviously a song of the evening, meant to be sung as bedtime nears. It is a poetical masterpiece that moves the soul to rest and peace.

Although written in the first person, it is well suited for choirs or multiple singers.

This could possibly be dramatized with different individuals singing/interpreting each stanza. Behind the opaque screen would be Jesus praying in the garden… The pounding of a drum would enhance the solemnity and mood.

There is a sweetness and harmony in the Hebrew that is lost when we translate it to English. It could almost be like a lullaby to the soul. Strings should be heard throughout the movements of this evening drama.

Notice it was written for the director of music. God wants creativity and will anoint various people to direct the Tabernacle of David (I Chronicles 6:31-32). They are to be ones who catch the wind of the Spirit and can release others to a higher place.

The pain in this psalm is real, but so is the strong confidence that God will not fail. The enemies can never take away the inward peace.

The “godly” being set apart could be a child, or a young adult… This could be sung at a baby dedication, an ordination, or commissioning service… even a ‘homegoing.’

This is a psalm of intercession. By a series of four imperatives, the psalmist pours out his heart before God: “Answer me,” “give me relief,” “be merciful,” and “hear my prayer.” Can you feel the intensity in these cries?

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Augustine, believing that Psalm 4 has a very unique value, felt that the whole world should hear it sung out loud as an expression of Christian courage, and as a testimony of the peace that God gives His people, a peace that passes all understanding. Psalm 4 is the cure for insomnia!

Martin Luther made it clear that he had loved the concluding verses of Psalm 4 from his youth and that it was his wish that these verses be sung over him when he came to his last moments on earth.

Let’s Go Deeper! Questions:

1. Have you ever felt God was not answering your prayer? What did you do about it?

2. Read Matt. 7:7; 1Jn. 5:14-15; Phil. 4:6; Mk. 11:24; Jn. 15:7. Describe the confidence you are meant to have in God and your prayer life with Him.

3. How do you know that God has “set you apart” for Himself?

4. Do you meditate on your bed? Pray about how you could incorporate this activity into your devotional life.

5. According to this Psalm, how do you move from anxiety to joy?

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6. Have you had a sleepless night, troubled over the difficulties that surround you? How did you find peace?

Activation: ● Sometimes even though we know we shouldn’t fear, we are not sure how to let go of our fears. Here is a prayer to help:

Father, I repent of fear along with all of the different fruit of fear in my life such as worry, stress, anger, fear of—man, rejection, lack, and failure. I renounce fear and break partnership with that spirit in my life. Father, forgive me and cleanse me of my sins of fear and deliver me from its power and influence, in Jesus’ name. Father, I ask you to fill me with your love, your glory, so fully that fear has no place in my heart or mind or emotions. Help me to turn every fear into a prayer of faith. Thank you, Lord, amen.

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