The Passion Translation | Psalms 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 David. “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 Septuagint 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 Psalm 3. 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 (“Selah” 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! ​ 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!” 2 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. 3 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.