Psalm 4 (part 1): Covenant Prayer before Battle (Psalm 4:1-5)

Psalms 3 and 4 connect together, for both took place just before the battle with Absalom's army (2Samuel 18). Whereas Psalm 4 is set in the evening before the battle, Psalm 3 is set on the morning of the battle, so when David declares in Psalm 3:4 that he has prayed and God has heard him, this refers to his prayer in 4:1. Likewise his belief he would sleep well in 4:8 was fulfilled (3:5). Compare also 3:2-3 and 4:2. David reveals the basis for his approach to God was that his righteousness was from God (not himself): "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!" (v1a). This is imputed righteousness through faith, and well as the fact that he knew he stood for a righteous cause (he was praying the will of God). Having righteousness before God gives us confidence that God will hear our prayer (1John 5:14, Proverbs 15:29, 1Peter 3:12, Psalm 34:15). He prays that God would be gracious to him and relieve him in his distress; changing his situation from being hard-pressed on all sides to an enlarged place of freedom (v1b). Based on his assurance that God has heard his prayer in v1, David speaks boldly to his enemies, declaring that their rebellion against him, which was based on following lies (that he was no longer God's anointed) and empty promises, is about to come to an end (v2). He also declares that he is still beloved and chosen by God, set apart to Him by covenant as God's anointed king, and this gives him confidence that God hears his prayers and will give him the victory (v3). We then discuss different applications of David's advice: "Be angry and do not sin" (v4a), which Paul applies in Ephesians 4:26-27. In order to overcome the flesh and not sin, we need to mediate in God's Word (v4b, Psalm 1) and bring our flesh into quietness, so that we can hear God's voice to us (v4b). Then we need to 'offer the sacrifices of righteousness', which means doing right actions in obedience to God's word to us, and doing what God tells us to do in the situation, trusting in Him that He knows best (v5, Proverbs 3:5-6), even though this may well mean denying the natural inclinations of our flesh and human reasoning.