Psalm 4: God of Our Righteousness
To The Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. 1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah
“‘Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness’,— ‘the vindicator of my righteousness’, as the Syriac version renders it; that is, of his innocence and uprightness, which the LORD knew and was a witness of: and since He was his covenant God, he doubted not but He would bring it forth as the light, and favour his righteous cause, and do him justice...” (Gill) David “appeals to God, because all men everywhere condemned him, and his innocence was borne down by the slanderous reports of his enemies and the perverse judgments of the [leaders of the] common people.” (Calvin)— “You have enlarged me when I was in distress”— I went from a the leader of a band of a few outlaws to the king of Israel.
David knew the Scriptures, even the precepts thereof- that Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, believed in the Lord and it was credited to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3) But He also knew that Abraham obey God and was called a friend of God. This was David’s defense, as well. "Yahweh," said David, is “the witness and defender of my righteous cause, and the person from whom I expect that righteous judgment and decision of it which I cannot obtain from mine enemies, who load me with manifold injuries and calumnies.” (Joseph Benson)
“The true notion of faith is, conviction in action, principles operating in the life, sentiments embodied in conduct. Faith is practically nothing so long as it is merely in the head.” (J. Parker, D. D.) James explains, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!’ “But”—it is not enough— “do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” “Art thou willing to be instructed in the nature of true saving faith? Then attend to the following examples.” (Adam Clarke) The Hebrew faith is a faith which works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:21-24)
"Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will raise unto David a righteous shoot, and He shall reign as king and prosper, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name whereby He shall be called, 'Yahweh is our righteousness.'" (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
“‘O you sons of men,”—who think yourselves noble in this world— The Hebrew denotes men of rank, as distinguished from the other form, for the common people. Literally, the former is sons of אישׁ, (ish,) and the latter the sons of אדם, (adam.)... In this David warns the leaders of the rebellion.” (Daniel Whedon)— and asks, “‘how long will you turn my glory'- that which God had conferred in me (Wesley)- 'into shame?’"
A second question: “‘How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?’ Or ‘a lie’; or that which fails and deceives, as a lie does: and such were all the counsels and designs of the great men of Israel against David: and so the Jews may be said to seek after a lie, when they seek after another Messiah besides Jesus of Nazareth: for every other proves a ‘Bar Cozbi’, that is, the son of a lie; as the false Messiah in Adrian's time was called by themselves. And so do all such as seek after and embrace false doctrines, errors, and heresies, and are given up to believe them. Now the psalmist suggests that these great men were obstinate, and continued in these sinful practices; and that in the issue all their efforts would be vain and fruitless; and which he further strengthens by observing to them what follows.” (John Gill) “Though your enterprises please you, yet God will bring them to nothing.” (Geneva Bible Study) You will never prosper by persecuting Yahweh’s anointed king, even His Messiah. “‘Selah’ - Mark this! See what the end will be!” (Adam Clarke)
3 But know that Yahweh has set apart for Himself him who is godly; Yahweh will hear when I call to Him. 4 Tremble, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
“‘But know’— you leader of the sons of men— ‘that the Lord hath set apart them that are godly’, חסיךְ chasik, merciful.”- He has “designated him to accomplish a certain work, or has regarded him as an instrument to perform it. He would, therefore, protect him whom He had thus appointed; and their efforts were really directed against Yahweh Himself, and must be vain.” (Barnes) “This merciful man, this feeling, tender-hearted man, is My own property; touch not a hair of his head.” (Clarke)
These are His covenant servants. Of this man it is said, “Yahweh knows his voice when he cries; He has heard it before; and all heaven is interested for his welfare.” (Joseph Sutcliffe)— > “‘The Lord will hear when I call unto him’ - As I am engaged in His service; as I am appointed to accomplish a certain purpose for Him, I may confidently believe that He will hear me, and will deliver me out of their hands. Is not this always the true ground of encouragement to pray - that if God has a purpose to accomplish by us he will hear our prayer, and save us from danger, and deliver us out of the hand of our enemies? And should not this be the main design in our prayers - that God ‘would’ thus spare us that we may accomplish the work which he has given us to do?” (Albert Barnes)
“‘Stand in awe and sin not’ - This is rendered by Prof. Alexander, ‘Rage and sin not.’ The Aramaic Paraphrase renders it, ‘Tremble before him, and sin not.’” (Albert Barnes) “The original רגזו rigzu might be translated:
‘If ye be angry, and if ye think ye have cause to be angry; do not let your disaffection carry you to acts of rebellion against both God and your king. Consider the subject deeply before you attempt to act. Do nothing rashly; do not justify one evil act by another: sleep on the business; converse with your oten heart upon your bed; consult your pillow.’— ‘And be still’ - ודמו vedommu, ‘and be dumb.’ Hold your peace; fear lest ye be found fighting against God. Selah. Mark this!” (Adam Clarke)
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in Yahweh. 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.