Psalm 4 documents David’s cry to God for joy and peace as he faces a certain affliction and enemy. As I read David’s prayer and song of worship, two themes stand out to me in David’s words: remembrance and confidence. David takes time to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness when he has previously cried out for mercy and shows confidence that the Lord will hear him in this current state of distress.
First, David remembers. In verse 1 he says “...You have given me relief when I was in distress.” (ESV) The Message says it this way, “...Once, in a tight place, you gave me room…” Then again as David is believed to be addressing his enemy in verse 3, he reminds them that “...the Lord hears when I call to him.” (ESV) This makes me think: when I cry out to God when I’m in some predicament, do I take the time to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness that He has bestowed on me in the past? Too often, I do not. The list of things that the Lord has provided is long: healing, comfort, safety, jobs, relationships, and relief from countless uncomfortable situations. It is so easy to gloss over the big things God has done in my life. Once He’s solved my problem, I too often do not rejoice in what he has done and simply move on to the next crisis.
Ultimately, when I take the time and reflect on what God has done for me, the answers to specific circumstantial prayers remind me of who God is at all times and that He is good and faithful. He is the maker of joy, peace, righteousness, grace, holiness, goodness, and honor. David sets an example for me here to remember who God is and how He provides for the people He loves as I cry out to him in my time of need. David reminds me to take time to reflect on what God has done in the past as I face new challenges.
Verse 3 also shows David’s confidence in God’s response to him. He knows the Lord will hear him when he calls. He is confident that the Lord loves him and will provide what he needs. David begins the Psalm crying out to the Lord for help, but he ends the Psalm resting in the confidence of the Lord. Verse 8 says, “In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (ESV) Isn’t this what we all long for at times: to have peace, to feel safe, and to sleep well? David knows, and reminds those who are working against him, that God sets apart those who are holy for Himself (v. 3), that the light of God’s face is all the goodness we need (v. 6), and that the joy that comes from the Lord is greater than any earthly joy we might experience (v. 7). David feels secure in the Lord despite the adversity he faces because he intimately knows the nature and character of our God. He knows that God is the maker of joy, peace, righteousness, grace, holiness, goodness, and honor.
Some commentaries explain David’s remembrance at the beginning of the Psalm as a common strategy: as grounds for help in his present time of need. I also believe that his practice of remembrance helps David have confidence in the Lord. So as you start this week, take some time to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness to you. Remember the specifics. Remember the times you didn’t think you could go on and the circumstances in your life that seemed impossible. Remember how God showed up for you during those times. Remember who God is in the everyday. Remember his peace, joy, righteousness, grace, holiness, goodness, and honor. Remember Christ, and that everything we remember about who God is is embodied in Jesus on the cross and His resurrection three days later. Jesus is the reason God sees us as holy; He is the reason we are able to put our trust in God and offer Him our right sacrifices. Jesus, living and breathing, is the best reason we have to be confident that God hears our pleas and shows up for us every day.
— Jordan Purser