It was a dark day when Absalom turned against his father, David. It was a time of emotional pain for David and those with him when they left the city of Jerusalem. It may have been that night, as David and those with him stopped to rest, that he again called on the Lord, who was the God of his salvation. He had learned the value of earnest supplication and how our expressions of faith change us to face what is the most salient point of a prayer. In this evening's prayer, David had one overriding, urgent request: "Mercy."
Our God is the One who imputed to us His righteousness when, by faith, we came in our need to our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. It was there that we became conscious of His mercy in sparing us until that time. When we called from repentant hearts, in our distress, He heard our cry, healed us of our sin-sickness, and saved us by His grace.
At the beginning and the end of the psalm, David spoke directly to the Lord. Whether he was actually talking to listening men, or is addressing the fact that people think of the Lord and those who trust in Him, I am not sure. This psalm appears to be an evening prayer, and regardless of the context, those who mocked David were mocking "my glory," which is God Himself. To put the glory of God aside for that which is worthless and untrue and to seek lies instead of truth is a terrible choice. No wonder he called upon himself to pause and reflect on such a terrible decision made by the mockers, and so the word "Selah" calls the reader to stop and consider God's glory - and the need for mercy.
Those people who are devoted and faithful to God enjoy special blessings from God. They have been set apart for the Lord, and their prayers are heard. We may not realize all that has accompanied our salvation, but the forgiveness we have been granted and the new nature we have been given sanctify those who belong to Him. He hears our prayers and answers according to His divine will, not necessarily according to our expectations. God's people are wise when they view their distresses and difficulties in the light of God, rather than in the darkness of the problems.
It is our responsibility to control our anger so that righteous anger does not deteriorate into sinful anger. Taking time to "meditate," to carefully and respectfully think about the word of God and how it applies to any given situation, will calm our souls and quiet our spirits. The word "Selah" in this place directs us to think again and again about that which is right and Christ-like compared to that which is worthless and untrue.
The "sacrifice of righteousness" lifts us above the sins that separate us from God, and in faith, we present our obedience and submission, our praise and our worship to God. Faith, in times of trial, lifts the face of the Lord before our minds and hearts rather than those who are oppressing and rebelling. That is when and how we rise above the question of the skeptics who say, "Who will show us any good?" We know the blessing of the light of God's countenance. We see the gladness in the heart and the outward joy when God gives us His peace. The turmoil around us and opposition against us fade into insignificance when we experience the presence, comfort, and power of God. It is akin to the joy and contentment that come with a good harvest being safely brought in after the tensions of storms and uncertain weather. When the harvest is in, we can rest.
When the tensions of the moment fade due to our awareness of God's presence, we can rest and trust our Lord to keep us safe in His own way. The inward joy that comes from trusting the Lord is different than the outward happiness that comes from pleasant circumstances. That which is inward joy is constant and unchanging to those who put unreserved faith in God. What is outward may change quickly depending on what happens at that time. It is the joy that comes from faith that overcomes the world, the flesh, and the devil. Those enemies bring discouragement to the person who only has temporary happiness—joy from within stays. Happiness from without may go as quickly as it came.
In this evening prayer, David can "lie down in peace," and sleep with confidence that the Lord has everything under control. His face is toward those who love Him, and the "light of [His] countenance" is assuring to the most troubled saint, in the most troubled place, in the most troubled time.
PSALM 4. An evening prayer of trust in God. v. 1. David appeals to God for protection. He also warns his foes against their mindless rage. Then he goes to sleep peacefully, knowing that God is his safety. As David enters the Lord’s presence, he addresses Him as “God of my righteousness.” Men may defame, but God knows the facts and will judge David righteously. This is a very unusual statement in the prayer; David knows that God’s pressure produces spiritual enlargement. Prosperity does little for us, but adversity produces growth and maturity.
v. 2-5. The occasion for David’s appeal was that he was being maligned and slandered by unprincipled men. His reputation was being attacked. It is important that you look at your problems in the light of God’s power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems. The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God, and their efforts to bring them down are futile: they are “the apple of His eye” [Zech. 2:8]; their names are engraved on the palms of His hands [Isa. 49:16]. He hears when they call and responds quickly. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” [Rom. 8:31]. When you are awake in bed, search your heart and be quiet. Those who have trusted Him make justice their sacrifice. More important to God than the ceremony of sacrifice is the attitude of submission and obedience. God wants the sacrifice of obedience and praise before gifts.
v. 6-7. In contrast to his accusers, David goes right to God, the Source of all good, and expresses his joy in the Lord. Two kinds of joy are contrasted: Inward joy from knowing and trusting God versus the result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is steady when we trust God, as opposed to happiness that is unpredictable. Inward joy defeats discouragement, versus happiness that covers it up. Inward joy is lasting, whereas happiness is temporary.
v. 8. The confidence he had in the Lord gave him peace and sleep with the assurance that the Lord knows all.