Peace That Passes Understanding

Meditation April 2, 2020

Psalm 4

As in Psalms 1,2, and 3, Psalm 4 draws a contrast between the wicked and the righteous. We find this contrast, in one way or another, throughout the psalms.  In Psalm 1 the contrast was between the righteous man and the wicked man, between the who is guided by the law of God and the one who spurns the law of God. The righteous man is blessed and stands in the day of judgment but the wicked man cannot endure the judgment.

In Psalm 2 the comparison broadens to include, on the one hand, mankind and its rulers and, on the other hand, the Man of Righteousness, God’s own son to whom God gives the nations and a rod of iron with which to rule them. Considering the justice of the King and the rod given, the psalmist “the asks why do the heathen rage and devise plans that come at last to nothing but judgments”; then gives the sage advise that men should Kiss the Son lest he becomes angry.

In Psalm 3 this contrast has become more personal to David (The wicked seek David’s life. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.) and teaches us we as believers are to apply personally this contrast between the wicked and the righteous. God’s care is not for someone somewhere sometime but for you and I, for each of his own in their present need. God has not spoken to a generic someone but has said to His own, to you and to me if we have so put our hope in Christ “…you are mine. I have called you by name…I am always with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.” So, David say, remembering this “I lay down and slept….”

Coming to Psalm 4 we see David again resting under God’s protection. The occasion seems to be the same; i.e., the period in which David was fleeing Absalom. The first, Psalm 3 is clearly, it seems, a morning reflection and one that should remind us to begin our day with thanks to God for his protection during the night. Psalm 4 is an evening psalm, a bedtime prayer. In Psalm 3 David says “I lay down and slept.” In psalm 4 he says “I will both lie down in peace and sleep.” The reason is the same. He has cast his cares into God’s hand who, as David has learned from experience, will deliver his through his troubles. We must never forget God’s promise is that when we pass through the waters God will be with us so that they do not overwhelm us whatever may be the circumstance. Stephen, though the stones of his death were being gathered up, lifted up his eyes to heaven and exclaimed, “I see the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” That has always been an amazing verse to me. He who sits at the right hand of the Father is on his feet lest even the floods of death should overwhelm and carry away one of his lambs.

Thus, David begins, Hear me (answer me favorably) when I call, God of my righteousness. We are reminded that the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much. Alas! What man is righteous? Every man who through Christ has been given the right to be called a child of God, Christ is the Just King who is both Just and the Justifier of the unjust, the God of my righteousness. Therefore, though the wicked cry for the mountains to fall on them and hide them when God draws near, we come boldly to the throne of grace and make our petitions known to God in full confidence he will grant to us his protection.

None sleep so soundly and sweetly as those who like a little child who lays with his head on his mother’s breast, lay themselves down to sleep with their head upon the Savior’s bosom. May God grant to us that as did David we may say with confidence “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.