Have you ever lost sleep because your reputation was unjustly put on trial by others? We can learn a lot from King David, a man deeply distressed by these same trials. In Psalm 4, he talks about the deceptive and worthless practices of those who were trying to reproach his name, criticize his character, and bring shame upon him. However, despite the ill-treatment, we find that Psalm 4 is not a lament, but rather, a chronicle of how David responded to them, and was then able to sleep well anyway.

In the midst of his own persecution and distress, David encourages four responses that will cultivate confidence in God and peace in our own hearts.

1. Cry out to God (4:1)

Psalm 4:1 - Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Even as we pray, it is our tendency to let our hearts and minds get fixed on, and even hope in things that we might pursue for vindication. We don’t give careful thought about what God’s word says about suffering for righteousness sake: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 5:10-12). We may also turn to others (family or friends) looking for a false reassurance that “we do not deserve” such treatment, and that “God is on our side” without really being careful to examine our own hearts.

However, David’s response exemplifies three approaches that we need to have to appeal to God in the midst of these kinds of trials. How should we understand David’s appeal, and how should we cry out to God? David exemplifies three elements of properly crying out to God in distress.

Approach God Honestly. David cries in the Psalm, “Answer me when I call…” David needed help spiritually and emotionally, and his prayer honestly acknowledges that. Later in the psalm, he expresses how the lies and deception have hurt him. Like David, we do not need to put up false pretences with our omniscient God.

Approach God With Thankfulness and Trust. In verse 1, David acknowledges, “You have relieved me in my distress…” The idea here in the word “distress” is “pressure,” the feeling of being pressed in from all sides and that there is no escape. This wasn’t a new experience to David, but as he says, God had relieved him before. God had “widened the space” when David felt the pressure. This is an example of appealing to past blessing as grounds for present relief.

Approach God Humbly. David refers to God as “the God of my righteousness.” He is not trusting in his own goodness or his own righteousness as the grounds for approaching God, or as the justification for receiving an answer. In fact, David finishes verse 1 by saying, “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” Instead of getting even, proving our own innocence, or running to friends for false sympathy, we should “cry out to God” honestly, thankfully, and humbly as David did.

In verses two and three we see the second response we should have in our distress that will cultivate confidence in God and peace in our own hearts.

2. Understand God’s Perspective (4:2-3)

Psalm 4:2-3 - O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

David expresses an accurate picture of how God views the people involved. He acknowledges that he himself has a position of honor, a position of glory, and that other people of noble position in society are trying to shame him, to ruin his reputation, and bring reproach on him. David reveals their method of destroying his reputation by essentially asking, “How long will you aim at deceiving others, by telling them things about me that are empty, baseless, and untrue?”

In contrast to his honest, but painful assessment of his accusers, David also expresses his confidence in God’s calling of himself, and in God’s disposition toward His own children. The word “godly” in verse 3 is actually the word hasid, from which we get “Hasidic Jews”, the really devout, practicing Jews. The word simply means faithful, or loyal. God has set apart the faithful and loyal servant for Himself.

Furthermore, our loyalty is because of God’s grace. David also cries out in verse 1,”Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!” By understanding our identity in Christ, our calling as His children, and God’s setting apart of the faithful for His service, we are reminded that He is on our side and we have nothing to fear.

3. Worship during the trouble (4:4-5)

Psalm 4:4-5 - Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.

This was David’s third response. In verses four and five, David reminds himself about how he must, despite the trouble and trial, respond in worship and trust toward God. Specifically, David’s psalm displays three ways the persecuted and distressed ought to worship God in their trouble.

Do Not Sin In Your Anger. The Apostle Paul directly quotes Psalm 4:4 in Ephesians 4:26, “be angry, and do not sin.” It is right and proper to experience the emotion of displeasure at what is wrong and sinful; however, a destructive and vindictive reaction is sin.

React Thoughtfully. Instead of reacting sinfully, we are to give the situation some careful thought in quiet (see 4:8). David is definitely NOT saying that we should let the trouble keep us awake at night. He is advocating a calm, thoughtful, anti-reactionary view of events–not one that immediately sends us into a flurry of reactions and activity to “fix the problem” or “correct every lie.”

Continue To Worship In God’s Prescribed Way. In David’s day, God’s prescribed worship was offering sacrifices and prayerful worship, mingled with prayer and song. Today, similarly, we pray, sing, gather together, encourage one another, and “all the more as we see the day approaching.” There is no room in Scripture for “taking a little time for stress relief,” by avoiding the body or corporate meetings of the church. David says that our worship, and particularly worship in the place where God’s people gather to offer their sacrifices of praise, is exactly what we SHOULD pursue in the midst of trial. It is here that God ministers grace, and brings comfort and encouragement. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 states: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

In verses six and seven we see the fourth response we should have in our distress that will cultivate confidence in God and peace in our own hearts.

4. Seek God, Not Good (4:6-7)

Psalm 4:6-7 - Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

David prays for the goodness and favor of God to be made known to him. In the midst of trials and distress, it isn’t unusual for some to begin to doubt God’s goodness or care. In verse 6 it is “many” who are saying “…who will show us good?!” Those who respond to our distresses wrongly (even family and friends) can wittingly or unwittingly push us in the direction of doubt and despair. don’t let this happen.

David knows, and prays, for exactly what he, and everyone like Him needs to know and experience in the midst of trouble, trial and distress. In essence he says, “God, I want to know more of you! I long to see the light of your countenance, to know the glory of your holiness, and to experience the true, rich, and genuine gladness of heart that comes through knowing you deeply. I don’t want that cheap substitute for gladness that I often seek when times are good, when I have my grain and new wine.”

Despite many outside pressures, we need to pursue understanding the richer, eternal blessing of knowing God. In the midst of trouble, trial, distress and persecution, make the pursuit of God your primary pursuit, and you will grow in confidence and peace. Then, and only then, will your nightly theme be that of David.

Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.”

May God grant you grace to worship and endure your own trials as David did.

Reminder: If interested you can listen to the sermon audio here. I definitely fill in some of the gaps, and explain further in the audio. This is only a summary of the message.