Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.In peace I will lie down and sleep,
Psalm 4
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Scripture Notes
An Appeal to God
In the previous chapter, David appealed for safety from a physical attack, and here, he asks for mercy as he faces challenges to his reputation. David is reaching out to God because he is in distress and innocent of the accusations against him. How many of us have been wrongfully accused with our reputations at stake? We are reminded that while the world is unjust and people suffer unfairly, God is just, and we can be confident that He hears our prayers. We need only to look to the past to see God’s handiwork in restoring chaos to order and His presence in our lives. This confidence can sustain us through more challenging hardships.
Denouncing the Naysayers
Now, the tables have turned, and a plea of innocence transforms into a cry for those who have turned away from God. David critiques those who love delusions and seek false gods. How relevant this feels in an age when many are eager to criticize ‘others’ regardless of accuracy while pursuing influence, money, power, or dominion. David is direct with his accusers, calling out their faults to remind them of the truth that those who are faithful are set apart. We must be intentional in what we say, resisting the spread of false or incomplete information while remaining diligent in calling out those who do not follow the truth.
Instead of spreading rumors and drawing conclusions, David urges those who falsely accuse him to reflect on the teachings God has given to the people. Rather than thoughtlessly and carelessly moving forward, we should be humble and acknowledge our limitations and smallness. We are not meant to fight day and night but to rest, hold our tongues (or refrain from typing), and cease speaking untruths. Silence does not merely signify apathy or complicity in wrongdoing; it can be a sign of wisdom, resilience, and patience. David further states that we should refrain from attacking others (even if we believe they deserve it) and instead repent, forgive, and free ourselves from the poison of retaliation. Rather, we should place our trust in the Lord, who knows all, sees all, and is all. Judgment will come for all of us, and those who have bent truth to suit themselves will have to answer for it.
Encouragement to the Devoted
David is not the only one who feels discouraged. Many others are also wondering if goodness will ultimately prevail and whether suffering and injustice will persist without resistance or help from God. David no longer speaks of ‘I’ to his accusers ‘you’ but begins to sing of ‘us’ and includes himself with others who are in despair. Many people wonder why prosperity does not reach them, thinking in terms of earthly value, but David recognizes the true value of being in the presence of the Lord. He understands that one cannot be blessed without the Blesser, and the benefit of eternal life cannot be gained without the Savior.
Before Paul could express his well-known statement about being content regardless of circumstances and his ability to endure all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:11-13), David proclaimed his joy in following God even when his enemies are overflowing with food and wine. He remains content, whether hungry or well-fed, rich or poor, in good times and bad. No matter the circumstances, we are called to find joy in the Lord rather than seeking contentment in earthly matters. We do not create our own happiness; it is the Lord who fills our hearts with joy, and through this, we can be content regardless of our situation.
Although David is being cruelly and unjustly attacked, he still lies down and rests peacefully under the Lord’s safety. Likewise, when we pray and call out those who attack us, we must trust that God’s justice will prevail. We let the burdens of anger, betrayal, and discouragement slide off our shoulders and allow God to carry them for us. Without the weight of resentment, anger, and retaliation, our hearts are open to encouragement, peace, and even gladness. We can dwell in safety, be at peace and trust the Lord is watching over us.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
MEMORY VERse
Image: Peter Henry Emerson. Pasture landscape, 1890 – 1895. The Rijksmuseum
Related Verses
More verses about dwelling in safety:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- In what ways can you better trust God, even when you don’t understand His ways?
- In what ways can you resist the urge to respond aggressively toward others and instead focus on God’s teachings?
- How can you”lie down and sleep in peace” because you trust in God’s protection?
Cover Image: Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël. Landscape near Abcoude, 1860 – 1870. The Rijksmuseum
MANÁ 
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