“To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” -Psalm 4
It is good to come to a particular Psalm much the same way we might take in a medieval Cathedral. It’s as delightful as it is helpful to behold the majesty of the whole before examining the parts. We are blessed to take in and contemplate the full scope of the edifice before examining the individual bricks and architectural particles.
A rundown of the whole Psalm: We are not told the circumstances of Psalm 4, but it is plausible it is a sequel to Psalm 3 with the rebellion of Absalom still in view. David first makes an urgent plea to God for help (1), then follows a rebuke to his godless foes (2-3). Next, he calls on his enemies to “ponder” their condition and repent (4-5). The Psalm closes with an exhortation to those who are weary because of evildoers and an expression of his confidence in God to provide peace and safety to his own (6-8).