Have you ever been distressed? Some of you clicked on the title of this blog because you are feeling anguish right now. This emotion can be caused by a number of things, but Psalm 4 addresses anguish that is created when someone insults your honor.
How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? (4:2)
Where I’m from, those are fighting words. Maybe you have experienced this from a co-worker, parent, another student at school, etc. But have you ever had your honor insulted by unbelievers? If you go on social media enough you will. What about attacks made against God’s people in the news? Maybe this has happened to you at work or school. This is why the psalmist is distressed.
There are a couple of references that give it away. The first is found in verse 4 when the writer addresses those who have insulted his honor. He actually quotes a passage we have heard many times:
Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. (4:4 – HCSB)
The word bed has a connection to pagan rituals, as does the reference to their grain and new wine. (4:7) Read Hosea 7:14. In America, we do not run across a lot of people sacrificing chickens, drinking blood, or cutting themselves for an idol, but we do cross paths with those who do not believe in the Almighty God. Those who insult others who put their faith in a “Higher Power.” If you want to test that thought, go on social media and give your beliefs on drunkenness, extramarital affairs, abortion, homosexuality, transgender, or a host of other topics. I’m not even talking about pronouceing “fire and brimstone”, but your personal beliefs based on Scripture. Or just tell people you believe mankind came into existence by a Divine Creator. You will be insulted and called many hurtful things.
Ok, we get that, but what should we do? Get into a “holy war” with them? Call them names? Tell them they are going to hell? Punch them in the nose?
The psalmist prays.
But not like some psalms where the writer asks Yahweh to knock their teeth out, as in the previous chapter (3:7). He prays for deliverance.
Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. (4:1)
He prays for Yahweh’s favor and presence (look on us). It is here the psalmist knows he can find inner joy despite the outward distresses caused by others. A peace that allows us to lie down and sleep rather than tossing and turning into the night because of the insults of others. (4:6-8) Too many times we think stopping our enemies is the best answer to our prayers. We sometimes fail to remember that God’s presence is the real answer. If our enemy is destroyed, we will have a new one by the next day. That is life in a fallen world. We have an even greater reality today – the Son of God has come into our world and believers have the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit living in them. (Rom. 8:9-11)
But there is something else the psalmist teaches us. Either he tells them or hopes his enemies will be still and reflect on their pagan ways. (4:6) To begin new activities, such as offering sacrifices in righteousness and trust in Yahweh. (4:7)
What if your enemy does not believe or trust in the Messiah? What if they offer sacrifices to the world? What if they make fun of your faith? Pray. Pray they can know Jesus. Pray they would stop long enough to meditate on God and change their ways. And may we take time out through our week to be aware that God is here and with us and in us.
One of the shortest and timeless hymns has these words:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
The composer of this hymn is anonymous, but his purpose for writing wasn’t for us to know him, but the One who strengthens us.
selah 