What does Psalm chapter 4 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible? Scripture Study

Psalm 9:1-8 is a summary of how God helps His people out of trouble every time they call upon Him. The psalm talks of how God has set apart for Himself those who fear Him and do His will. The book admonishes believers not to allow anger to overtake them and cause them to sin. It encourages them to constantly meditate on God’s word and pursue righteousness at all times. The psalm also shows us how God protects believers while they are asleep, thereby ensuring their safety.

In this lesson, we examine Psalm chapter 4, verse by verse, precept upon precept in order to fully comprehend the message behind the book. Let us get started.

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 1 mean?

Psalm 4:1 says:

“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.” (NKJV)

The writer begins the psalm by making a plea to God to hear him whenever he calls. In other words, he is calling upon God to be attentive to his prayer every time he prays to Him. This is important because there is no point in making a prayer if God is not listening. This may happen when a believer has fallen short of the ways of God and failed to ask for pardon. When such a believer goes ahead to pray, God may fail to hear his prayer simply because the sin committed becomes a barrier between him and God. And until the sin is confessed, the prayer won’t get through to God.

This according to Isaiah 59:1-2 that says:

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (NKJV)

But if the believer confesses his sin, God will pardon him and be attentive to his petitions. This is the same message recorded in 1 John 1:9. The scripture says:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (NKJV)

This is an important lesson for us to consider every time we approach God in prayer. And that is, we must always remember to confess our sins so as to remove any hindrance to the prayer we want to make. 

While we are still in Psalm 4:1, the author talks of the ‘God of his righteousness.’ This means that his righteousness emanates from God alone and not from his works, which scriptures liken to ‘filthy rags.’ This is according to Isaiah 64:6 that says:

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (NKJV)

The lesson we should therefore learn from Psalm 4:1 is that, when we approach God in prayer, we should always do so from the perspective of Christ’s righteousness and not our ‘own.’ So we only gain access to God courtesy of Christ’s righteousness. This is recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 as follows:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (NKJV)

Therefore, it is through Christ’s righteousness that we can boldly approach the God of heaven, make our petitions, and be reassured that He will hear us and answer us. This is in agreement with what is recorded in Ephesians 3:12 as follows:

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” (NLT)

While still on Psalm 4:1, the author tells us that God has actually heard his prayer and relieved him in his distress. In other words, God has given him relief in spite of his distressing circumstance or situation. Meaning, the distressing situation may still be present, but God has enabled him to endure it. These sentiments are also recorded in Psalm 23:4, which says:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (NKJV)

This is still the theme behind Isaiah 43:2, which says:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (NKJV)

A similar message is carried in Psalm 66:10-12, which says:

“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; you laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our head; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” (NKJV)

Therefore, it is important to note that God may not necessarily take away the distressing situation we may be going through, but instead He provides us with the strength we need to endure it. It is this strength that enables us to emerge victorious after the trial period is over.

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 2 mean?

Psalms 4:2 says:

“How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?” (NKJV)

Psalm 4:2 is a lamentation by the author against fellow men for continually plotting to shame him by spreading false accusations against him. As a faithful believer, you must bear in mind that your commitment to pursuing righteousness will attract opposition from the enemy. This is because even Christ Jesus himself was subjected to the same treatment when he walked on the face of the earth.

And like He clearly stated in John 15:20, if they mistreated him, they would also mistreat us who believe in him and keep his word. Therefore, if false witnesses rose against Christ, they will definitely rise against us. Therefore, we should learn to respond to the false accusations in exactly the same manner as Christ did.

Specifically, 1 Peter 2:21-23 teaches us how to do it. The scripture says:

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.’” (NKJV)

Thus we should strive to desist from reacting to situations and instead learn to respond to them exactly the way Christ did.

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 3 mean?

Psalms 4:3 says:

“But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.” (NKJV)

This scripture provides the godly person with a powerful assurance of God’s protection and cover over his life in whatever situation they may be facing. This promise is echoed in the book of Malachi 3:16-18 as follows:

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him, for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name.

‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son, who serves him.’

Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (NKJV)

Likewise, 2 Peter 2:9 also gives a similar assurance to the faithful believer by stating:

“Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” (NKJV)

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 4 mean?

Psalm 4:4 says:

“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” (NKJV)

This Scripture teaches us that a servant of God is allowed to get angry. Meaning, being or getting angry is not a sin. But the scripture goes ahead to caution the believer not to allow anger to cause him to sin. In fact, in moments of anger, the scripture advises the believer to remain calm and meditate on God’s word.

Specifically, this divine counsel concerning anger management is carried in several scriptures including Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Matthew 5:22, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19, to mention but a few.

Psalm 37:8 says:

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 14:29 says:

“He who is slow to wrath has a great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 7:9 says:

“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” (NKJV)

Matthew 5:22 says:

“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.” (NKJV)

Ephesians 4:26 says:

“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (NKJV)

James 1:19 says:

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (NKJV)

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 5 mean?

Psalm 4:5 says:

“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” (NKJV)

This Scripture teaches us two things. Firstly, it instructs the believer to offer to God sacrifices of righteousness. But what are these sacrifices of righteousness? These are the works of faith that every believer is expected to walk in after surrendering their lives to the Lordship of Christ Jesus. We get this from Genesis 15:6. According to this scripture, Abraham walked by faith, and as a result, God counted it to him as righteousness. The scripture says:

“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (NKJV)

This is repeated. in Romans 4:3-6 as follows:

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our father, has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

But to him who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works.” (NKJV)

Revelation 19:7-8 calls these works of faith the fine linen with which the saints are clothed. The scripture says:

“’Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (NKJV)

The second part of Psalm 4:5 implores the believer to put all his trust in God. This means that only God is to be trusted throughout the walk of faith. The believer cannot put his trust in his abilities and works because man fell in the Garden of Eden and cannot therefore redeem himself apart from trusting in the finished works of Christ on the cross.  

In fact, this is the message carried in Galatians 2:16, which says:

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (NKJV)

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 6 mean?

Psalm 4:6 says:

“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.” (NKJV)

This verse teaches that the goodness of God is available to His people despite them being ridiculed by the world. It is for this reason that in Psalms 23:6, David declares the following comforting words:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (NKJV)

In the same vein, Psalm 52:1 tells us:

“Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.” (NKJV)

Also, Romans 8:28 gives us the same assurance about the goodness of God by stating:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)

Therefore, in spite of the evil that has permeated every fabric of the society, the goodness of God continues to be manifested in the lives of believers as they faithfully run the race of faith. Praise be to God Most High!

In addition, Psalm 4:6 talks of God making His face to shine upon His people. What does this mean? When God makes His face shine upon His people, it translates to favor that makes them prosper in their work. It is God’s grace that enables one to excel in what God has called them to accomplish in life.

A similar message is carried in Numbers 6:24-26, which says:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (NKJV)

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 7 mean?

Psalm 4:7 says:

“You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” (NKJV)

This psalm speaks of God filling the hearts of His people with abundant joy. This is the joy recorded in Psalm 92:4 as follows:

“For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.” (NKJV)

This is same joy that gives believers the strength to persevere through persecutions as was the case with Jesus in Hebrews 12:1-2, which says:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NKJV)

In fact, this joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit recorded in Galatians 5:22 as follows:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (NKJV)

What does Psalm Chapter 4 verse 8 mean?

Psalm 4:8 says:

“I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (NKJV)

This psalm teaches us that only God is our source of security while we are asleep and when we awake. The Bible tells us that it is God who actually gives sleep to those He loves. This is according to Psalm 127:2 that says:

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, and to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” (NKJV)

This protection of God over His people while they are asleep is repeated in Psalm 3:5, which says:

“I lay down and slept; I awoke for the LORD sustained me.” (NKJV)

I hope this lesson has been helpful. God bless you.

Related Post: What does Psalm 2 mean in the Bible: Scriptures study lesson

Also Read: What does Psalm 3 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible: Lessons for us

Prayer to get born again

Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.

I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I believe that you died and resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

Congratulations, friend! You are now a born-again Christian!

Welcome to the family of God!

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/

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