Gospel in a Verse: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Ps 51:17

A Study in Psalms Chapter 4

1 ¶ <<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.

• “Neginoth” denotes all manner of stringed instruments such as the harp, psaltery, viol, etc.; this psalm was a Psalm of David, and it was sent to the chief musician of the temple choir in charge of stringed instruments. King David put together a large choir to lead in prophesying; that is: proclaiming the Word of God:

“ ¶ Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king. Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD. Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.” 1Ch 25:1 – 7

• This is a prayer of a righteous man; we do not presume upon God to hear, but humble ourselves before God, recognizing that righteousness is God's department; it is God who has made us righteous (see Ehesians 1)

• God gives us what we need when we humble ourselves in times of trouble and come before him; David tells us that God has already done this for him – proving that this is the way God works – what God HAS done, he WILL do – he does not change

2 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.

• Public prayer, as this was, combined with prophecy, which this was (prophecy means proclaiming the Word of God), is a scripturally approved way of speaking to the hearts of men while also speaking to God – this speaks to those who have not trusted in God but in themselves – trusting in ourselves turns the glory of God, who made us, takes care of us, and gives breath to all, into shame; it is shameful to trust in ourselves and a vanity: empty, powerless and a lie (lease). Think about it.

3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

• Just as God has set himself apart from all that is ungodly and vain, so he has set those who trust him apart to himself, making us holy (set apart to perfection). God will always hear his children

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

• Recognize the holiness, power and majesty of God and do not sin

• Search your heart before God in quietness at the end of the day; open your heart before God and let him do his work in you. Think about it.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

• Trust God and let him make you righteous so that you can worship him in righteousness: we cannot DO anything to please God – the only way to please him is to first humbly recognize who he is, who we are before him (hopelessly lost), and repent (turn away from the world and put our trust in Jesus Christ) “ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (complete humility): a broken and a contrite heart (broken and miserable because we recognize our complete failure to live our own lives) , O God, thou wilt not despise (God will accept all those who recognize their desperate need and put their trust in Jesus Christ).” Ps 51:17

6 ¶ There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

• People throughout the ages have searched for truth and good, but have refused to accept the author of truth and goodness – this is a vanity

• Those who will trust in God will have the light of his glory illuminating their lives and will know absolute goodness and truth: “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Joh 1:1 – 4 Jesus Christ is the light

• “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Ro 5:5 That light, the love of God, is shed abroad (fills) our hearts when we trust him

• “ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Joh 14:6 Knowing Jesus means knowing the truth

• “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Joh 8:33 Knowing the truth gives us true freedom

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

• God puts more joy in our hearts than anything good that comes from the things of this world

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

• We can trust God completely for everything, including our lives and eternal destiny; in God there is no fear, but perfect peace and eternal security. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Php 4:6 – 7 Amen