Study 5 "Dwelling in Peace and Safety"

Psalm 4

This psalm grew out of David’s experience of anguish over undeserved criticism. The poem’s opening line was a plea to the Lord for helpand a demand to his critics for an explanation of their attack.

David cried out to God, "Why Lord is this happening to me? Do you hear my prayer? Will you help?" He was hurt and frustrated. The emotional wound was inflicted by those who hurled darts of malice and envy at him. His frustration arose with God’s seeming silence. David knew God had come to his defense in the past. When he had been in a tight circumstances, God had widened his way. He again turned his eyes to the Lord, from where, he knew, came his help.

To his censorious critics, David called for a defense for their actions. Apparently, those who had falsely accused David were well-known associates. These betrayers were trying to shame David in the eyes of Israel, by turning his honor into dishonor. His false friends "loved vain things," and were seeking to "lift up a lie." Those who were trying to incriminate David were doing so with empty charges and lies.

Ironically, at a point when David appeared to be overcome by gloom and despair, he declared his deep confidence in God. The Lord had "set apart" the righteous one to himself, the one who was innocent of wrongdoing. The charges against David were false, he was innocent, and confident as well God would come to his defense and exonerate him.

David equally was confident the Lord had heard his prayer for deliverance. David’s confident confession encouraged him and challenged his accusers. The King’s enemies should have been alarmed by the fact God had delivered David in the past. They should have trembled with fear, and been startled by the reality of God. David’s tormentors should have slipped away, gone home, and ceased sinning.

Yet, David’s accusers were convinced God himself could not prove David’s innocence. There’s was an airtight case, they thought. David’s adversaries boldly asserted, "Who will show us good?" What good did they refer to? David’s good. Who would or could declare David’s goodness and innocence in the face of their scurrilous accusations? David’s enemies scorned the very idea that God would act on David’s behalf. Cynically, they demanded to know, "Lord, are you going to shine the light of your countenance upon us?" Their disregard for God was chilling.

David warned his enemies that continuing disrespect and irreverence for God would result in their doom. David counseled them to be contrite: offer sacrifices. He called for them to take God into account in all they did: trust God. Those who callously ignored God had cruelly mistreated the King.

David considered his circumstances and contemplated God’s character. What he had found was God’s unfailing faithfulness to those he loves. So, in the middle of his crisis, David experienced limitless joy. The joy of the harvest could not rival the delight David found in God’s grace. While the cruel cries of his critics echoed in the public square, in the privacy of David’s heart, God’s peace resounded.

Some might have recommended retaliation. "Defend yourself!" they declared. "Strike back!" they urged. The King had a right, they argued, to guard his honor and his name. What, though, was David’s answer to both critic and supporter alike?

"I will sleep in peaceful slumber. I will rest in safety"

Did the Lord hear David’s prayer? Yes indeed! Had he answered David? At the time David penned this psalm, the answer had not come yet. Nonetheless, the King knew God would act on his behalf. He was confident of God’s rescue. This certain knowledge drove fear and anxiety from his heart, instilling in their place peace.

How do you respond to unfair and unjust criticism? Do you strike out in anger? Or do you sleep in peace and rest in safety.

"Don’t worry about anything. Instead, in every circumstance by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, ask God for help. Then, the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4.6-7).