Peace Under Difficult Circumstances

Commentary

1.     Plea (vv. 1-2). This opening section of Psalm 4 is divided in two:

 

a.     A Plea directed to God (v. 1).

b.     A Rebuke directed to the writers of people (v. 2).

 

2.     Counsel (vv. 3-5). Having condemned the opponents for seeking a solution to their difficulties by worshiping false gods, the writer now offers wise counsel.

 

a.     By calling the wayward to a renewed understanding of God’s special relationship with those who remain faithful to Him.

b.     By cultivating a proper attitude of humility.

 

3.     Confidence (vv. 6-8) The final segment of this Psalm turns from counsel to the writer’s own affirmation of confident joy in the provision of God. Even without the abundance promised by these false gods, there is a joy in relationship with the true God that only the faithful can experience and understand. The writer’s confidence in God is demonstrated by his ability to lie down and go to sleep peacefully even in the face of difficulty.

 

Two kinds of joy are contrasted (v. 7). There is an inward joy that comes from trusting in God and there is happiness that comes because of pleasant circumstances. In the face of great opposition David joyfully shared how he had great peaceand security in God. The joy and contentment he exper­ienced in trusting the Lord was greater than a farmer experiences at harvest time. While he was experiencing this outward jubilation, he also had a quiet confidence that enabled him to sleep soundly as God watched over his safety (v. 8).

Application

It is so easy to let circumstances defeat me when all I need to do is turn everything over to the Lord. If David could experience true joy and peace under these difficult circumstances, so can I. The world has no peace to offer me, but the Lord is the prince of peace.