Introduction: Travel with a Sure Guide

How good it is, when we are taking a trip, to get directions from somebody who knows the way. I am opening the Bible tonight to Psalm chapter 4, and I do so with full confidence that the author, David, will not lead us astray. The Heavenly Father said of David: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, and he shall fulfil all my will.

I have learned two powerful truths in the business of preaching. First: the more boldly a man stands before God in Christ, the more bold he will be in telling the truth to sinners. Second: the more often that man spends time in the presence of God, the less he will tremble when he stands before the sons of men.

Verse 1 — Hear Me, O God of My Righteousness

“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.” (Psalm 4:1)

Before David talks to anybody else, he is talking to God. Anyone who chooses to speak to men about God ought first to speak to God about himself and about men. Don't talk to men about God unless you have talked to God about men.

Notice the basis of David's plea for present mercy: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. You have helped me. You have opened the way for me — again and again when I have been astray. Now then, have mercy on me right now. David's plea for present mercies is based upon his faith in God's past mercies. That is a solid foundation for prayer.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Verse 2 — Three Charges Against the Sons of Men

“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?” (Psalm 4:2)

David brings three charges against the sons of men — natural men, sons of Adam:

First: How long will you turn my glory into shame?

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.” (Romans 1:21–23)

Second: How long will you love vanity? Solomon tried all things and said: vanity, vanity, all is vanity. The love of money, pleasure, pride — all vanity.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10)

Third: How long will you seek after lies? Who is a liar?

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)

Verse 3 — But Know This

“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” (Psalm 4:3)

But know — but God. Whatever the conditions that surround us, whatever the times or years bring, whatever the attitudes of the sons of men — know this: God has set apart him that is godly for himself. It pleased God that in him all fullness should dwell. It pleased God to bruise him on the cross. It pleased God to reveal his Son in us. God Almighty has drawn them with an everlasting love, chosen them in Christ, accepted them in the beloved — and their names are written in glory.

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” (John 17:9)

Who is this godly person the Lord sets apart? He is one who fears God — not as the ungodly of whom it is said there is no fear of God before their eyes, but as Job, of whom God said: My servant Job is an upright man and he fears God. He is one who trusts the Lord — though he slay me, yet will I trust him. He is one who loves God — love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God. And he is one who knows God — this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Verses 4–5 — Practical Advice

“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 4:4–5)

David gives three pieces of mighty good advice. First: Stand in awe and sin not. Stand in reverence before God. Stand in humility. Cease from pride and arrogance, from an open familiarity with the Almighty. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools. Be humble before God.

Second: Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. Get alone with God. We worship together, sing together, pray together — but when it comes to the heart, our relationship with our Lord is personal. I don't confess my sins before other people — I do before him. Spend some time alone with God. Today's religion is boisterous and loud — never alone with God. But David said: My soul waiteth for the Lord; in his word do I hope. Be still, my soul, and wait on the Lord.

Third: Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. We have an altar — not down here, but by him who suffered without the gate that he might sanctify the people with his own blood. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually — the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

Verses 6–8 — The Lord Lifts Up His Countenance

“There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:6–8)

Many say: who will show us any good? David answers: Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. That would be good.

“Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” (Psalm 80:3)

And then David speaks of gladness — gladness in his heart greater than the joy of the harvest, greater than a barn full of corn and a cellar full of wine. God himself has put this gladness there. And then the last verse: I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. It was said that King Solomon slept with armed guards around his bed — but he did not sleep more peacefully than his father David, who slept on the bare ground with King Saul and four hundred soldiers hunting him down. He slept peacefully because only God makes a man dwell in safety.

Fear not — I am with you. I will keep you. God has set apart him that is godly for himself, and the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

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