(Psa 4:1 KJV) To the chief Musician on Neginoth, 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.
David calls upon God's abundant mercy. God is always ready to help a sincere cry of our hearts for any need or distress. He loves to show mercy to a heart that genuinely seeks him.
(Psa 4:2 KJV) 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.
This is a sad part of this Psalm. Men turn God's glory into shame. They seek after vanity and leasing. Leasing is deceit and lying. It should not be part of us as Christians. Truth should be our banner. We should seek to mend friendships rather than separate friendships by repeating tales and gossip. A whisperer separates chief friends but a faithful person conceals the matter.
Vanity is going after things with no purpose or meaning. It is good for nothing. Wasting time. Hanging around murmurers and complainers. Bringing forth dead fruit. Let us yield ourselves to producing good fruit and speaking that which edifies and makes alive. Let our speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, giving answers that bring salvation and life. Avoid evil speaking and backbiting. It is a spirit of contention that we must avoid in order to spend time here in fruitfulness rather than waste.
(Psa 4:3 KJV) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
A godly person seeks after God. He or she seeks to live in a manner that is after the character of God. Evil speaking, complaining and murmuring is not after God. Going after the things of the flesh, selfishness and being devoid of the word, is ungodly.
God sets those who live godly apart for himself. They are special to him. Let us choose to be part that he sets asides as his chosen people. It is freely offered to all but not many choose this good way.
(Psa 4:4 KJV) Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Stand in awe. Stand in reverence and fear toward God. Do not take His word or his presence lightly. Commune with our own hearts and make sure that we are in a right relationship with God. Seek his face daily with thanksgiving and desire.
(Psa 4:5 KJV) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Make a commitment to do works of righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not necessarily what we may think is righteousness but the righteousness that is by the spirit that God gives to those who receive Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has a pure righteousness that is substituted for our own self-made righteousness which is not really righteous. Christ covers us with His righteousness. That is why we should labor to do works that are fruitful and further the gospel rather than be given over to evil speaking and complaining which hinder the gospel. If we truly trusted God as we ought, we would not have to complain and murmur.
Psa 4: 6 There be many that say, Who will show 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.The peace of God gives us a sense of safety and thanksgiving. It is health to our bones, calmness to our souls. Nothing in this life can compare to it. The joy of the Lord brings more gladness that a fruitful harvest in the physical realm. In fact winning a big lottery and the joy it may bring (which is temporary), cannot begin to compare to the joy of the Lord. If you think otherwise, you have not experienced the joy of salvation and gladness of heart. It is yours for the asking. It is ours for the seeking.
(Psa 5:11 KJV) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
(Psa 9:11 KJV) Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth[1] in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
(Psa 20:7 KJV) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.