My Righteousness

Psalm of the Day

Psalm 4

My Righteousness

Psalm 4 is considered to be a continuation of Psalm 3. There are similarities shared by these two

Psalms. In the writing of this Psalm, David is once again overwhelmed with suffering, injustice, and oppression from his enemies. As with Psalm 3, we will see in Psalm 4 David, as he goes from apprehension about his present situation to assurance in his God. Psalm 3 is often times labeled a morning Psalm, while Psalm 4 is labeled an evening Psalm.

The title of Psalm 4 is “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.” The chief musician was the master or director of the temple choir. David appointed three men to be the chief musicians: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Along with these men, David chose other men to make up the choir; a total of 288 men. All of these men were Levites; men, if you recall, who were first set apart for God’s service in the wilderness. At that time their primary task was to carry and take care of the Ark of the Covenant, God’s holy dwelling place. David increased their job duties to include them singing Psalms of praise to God (see 1 Chronicles 6:31-48; 15:16-22; 25:1; and 25:7 for more reading on the chief musicians and the temple choir).

Psalm 4 was given to the chief musicians to be sung in the temple while being accompanied by beautiful melodies played on stringed instruments.

“1) Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

Once again, in his time of need, David is calling out to God. This is a testimony to the One who calls Himself Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11). God is our righteousness. Righteousness comes from the Hebrew word, tsadaq, which means to be made right, cleanse, turn into righteous. God, through Christ Jesus, brought us back into right standing with Himself. He has cleansed us from our sins, making us righteous in His sight. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to shout HALELLUJAH! I had a whole lot of sin to be cleansed from. Praise His name! He’s big enough to cover all our junk!

“2)How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? 3) But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”

In verses 2 and 3 there is a contrast made between the ungodly and the godly. The ungodly man has no purpose. All that he does is of no value, empty, worthless. He desires things that are not true and fills his life with them. The ungodly man tries to fill the void in his heart with anything he can get his hands on. The godly on the other hand, has been set apart by the Lord for so much more. He has been commissioned to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). His heart is filled with the things of God. The godly have been blessed by God. As a child of God, David knows that God will hear him when he calls.

“4) Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. 5) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

My son, at times, has trouble with anger and acting on his anger. We are trying to teach him that it’s ok to be angry, but it’s not ok to fly off the handle because of that anger. It’s what we do with the anger that matters. Verse 4 literally tells us to find a place where we can sit, be still, and think in our hearts about the situation. What is it that caused the anger? Why has it made me angry? Was it something that was done intentionally to me or unintentionally? How does God want me to react? If we are to be holy, as He is holy, and offer to Him sacrifices of righteousness, then our anger must be controlled.

“6)There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7) You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

Sadly, many today are seeking the “good” of this world and not the goodness of God which only comes through a personal relationship with Him. There are no pleasures of this world that will satisfy the deep longings of man. Only God Almighty, satisfies the empty soul and brings gladness to the heart. As in Psalm 3, God gives true peace to His children and causes them to dwell in safety.

Questions to Answer- Thoughts to Ponder
Can you testify to a time in your life when God has been faithful and true?

How reassuring is it to you to know that God will hear you when you call out to Him? We do not walk through this life alone. God will never leave us nor forsake us. Your family may leave you, your friends may leave you, but Precious One, God will never leave you. You can take that to the bank! (Hebrews 13:5)

If we are to be holy, as He is holy, and offer to Him sacrifices of righteousness, then our anger must be controlled. Do you have a problem with anger? Give it to the Lord. Trust Him to take care of it. The next time you feel anger welling-up within you, put into practice Psalm 4:4.

Who or what are you looking to to satisfy your soul? Christ is the only One who can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35

Oh, Father, how I praise Your Name. Thank You for being my righteousness. Thank You that You are Faithful and True. You are the only One who can satisfy the deepest longing of my heart. You are my peace and my safety. Help me to be holy as You are holy.