Psalm 4 - Rest in peace
Psalm 4
Proposition: You should rest in peace.
1. By asking for help (1)
Answer me when I call to you (1a)
Give me relief from my distress (1b)
Have mercy on me (1c)
Hear my prayer (1d)
David went straight to God with his problem, and directly asked him for deliverance from his distress.
2. By reasoning with yourself (2-5)
What bothered David was the injustice of his enemies’ assault on his reputation (2). He reasoned that they attack his reputation, because they love delusions and seek after false gods (2). He understood God had set him apart for Himself (3), and that the Lord heard him when he called for help (3b).
David said these things, knowing he'd sinned and been forgiven by God. It was the knowledge of God's purpose and forgiveness in his life, and God's ability to answer his prayer that gave him confidence and peace in the face of opposition. When you reason through your problems from God’s perspective, it helps eliminate unreasonable disturbance in your life.
3. By calling for repentance (4-5)
David called on his enemies to fear God, stop sinning, and trust in God's atonement (4-5). The ultimate resolution for David's enemies, was to either trust Christ for salvation, or be destroyed. We should share the gospel with the lost.
4. By hoping for God's deliverance (7-8)
David didn't let popular consensus dictate his attitude. Although many were doubting (6), David expects God's face to shine on him (6b), and for God to fill him with joy (7).
While his circumstances did not change immediately, praying to God did give him the hope, confidence, and peace of mind he needed to sleep in peace.
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