DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 4 David acknowledges the LORD's past deliverances, prays for help, and encourages himself and his companions to serve the LORD and to trust him. Joy which was greater than the joy of the grain and wine harvests was the lot of those who trusted the LORD; and this is illustrated in the painting above

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 3. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Psalm 4. ]

     David opens this Psalm with a plea to God to hear him when he calls. He offers this request on the basis of his spiritual relationship with God. God has made him righteous. And God has delivered him when he was in distress. So, on the basis of these favors, he pleads with God for additional mercy (1). David then addresses his enemies, asking them how long they will turn his glory (or his honorable reputation) into shame. He asks them how long they will love vanity and seek after "leasing," meaning falsehood or lies. This refers to the lies which they used to destroy David's honorable reputation (2). David then tells them to take note that the LORD has set apart him who is godly for himself; and the LORD will therefore hear him. He tells them to stand in awe of God and sin not. Instead, they should meditate on these things on their bed and be silent (3-4). Then, turning his advice to the righteous, he tells them to offer sacrifices of righteousness and to put their trust in the LORD. He reminds them that many try to discourage them by saying that they will not see good. But, in the face of such a statement, David turns immediately to the LORD and asks him to lift up the light of his countenance upon them. And, apparently, the results of this prayer are immediate, because David says that the LORD put gladness into his heart -- moreso than when the corn and the wine increased. So, with this reassurance in his heart, he says that he will lay down in peace and sleep, because it is the LORD alone who makes him to dwell in safety (5-8). This Psalm has many of the same features of the previous Psalm, including the motif of rest which comes from spiritual assurance. The former Psalm seems to have been David's personal Psalm of assurance; likewise, this Psalm also offers assurance -- but to a group, not just to David. Perhaps it was written for those who went with David when he fled from Absalom.

¹To the chief Musician on Neginoth [Transposed to Psalm 3:1] *

A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness:
thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress;
have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

² O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame?
how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

³ But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:
the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
⁴ Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed,
and be still. Selah.

⁵ Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
and put your trust in the LORD.
⁶ There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD,
lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
⁷ Thou hast put gladness in my heart,
more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
⁸ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth [Transposed from Psalm 5:1]. *

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]