Title Psalm 04:1-8 Prayer in Trouble
Contents Psalm 4 Prayer in Trouble
Following Psalm 3, this psalm was the "Prayer in Trouble" in which David, in trouble, prayed for God's help. It was probably written during the rebellion of his son Absalom. A time of trouble is a time to pray.
1. David prayed in trouble (1)
“Answer me, O God of my righteousness, when I call.” What David struggled with was prayer. If the 3rd prayer was the morning prayer (I lay down and woke up (5)), the 4th prayer is the evening prayer (I will lie down and sleep in peace (8)). David, in trouble, began his evening in prayer. His prayer was based on three facts.
1) "O God of my righteousness"
All the world is unrighteous, but God is righteous. The world condemns me, but I prayed because I believed that God is the one who grants me righteousness. “Righteousness and strength are in the Lord alone” (Isaiah 45:24). “Any tongue that is against you shall be condemned; this is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and this is their righteousness from me” (Isaiah 54:17).
2) "In my troubles you have been generous with me."
When I was in trouble, I prayed because I remembered that God had saved me in the past. “God saves the afflicted in their affliction… God was going to bring you out of affliction and move you into a wide place that is not narrow” (Job 36:15, 16).
3) "Have mercy on me"
I cried out and prayed because I believed that God was merciful. “My lovingkindness will not depart from you, nor will my covenant of peace depart from you, says the LORD, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
2. David exhorted in trouble (2-5)
When we strive for prayer, we have something to say to the unrighteous people. David's prayer, which used to cry out to God, now turns into words of exhortation to his enemies who oppose him. “Little men,” he pointed out first that people are people and that life is life, and pointed out that those who oppose him are weak people.
1) Stop doing vain things that go against the will of God.
To dishonor "my glory," that is, the royal glory God has given to David, is vain to disobey God.
God has chosen "the godly", that is, those who have received God's grace, to be His messengers, and to deny it is vain to disobey God. God hears the prayers of his angels.
2) Do not make noises and commit crimes, lie down and reflect quietly.
3) Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, that is, the sacrifice of repentance, and trust in God.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise; then you will take pleasure in righteous sacrifices and whole burnt offerings” (Psalm 51:17, 19).
3. David prayed again and rejoiced in trouble (6-8)
“Rain your face, O LORD.” David turned his heart back to God. Many people eagerly wait for those who will do good to them in their troubles, but David looked only to the face of God (see Psalm 42:11).
"The joy you have put in my heart" When David looked at the face of God, David's heart was already overflowing with joy. The joy that the saints enjoy by looking to God is the harvest of the farmer.
surpasses joy. "I will lie down in peace, and I will sleep." When David looked at the face of God, David was also able to sleep soundly. Believers can enjoy peace and sleep peacefully in the midst of any difficulties or adversity by looking at God.
"Lift up Your face, O LORD, and send it upon us" is the best prayer for the saints in the night of tribulation.