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Scott's Reference Library
Psalm 4:1 through Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
1 Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-5
Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings
as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the
want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist
warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God. You
have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be spoken with, let it not be
unsaid. Examine them by serious self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon
that which is good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you
turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to what you have
done in the day; particularly what you have done amiss, that you may repent of
it. When you awake in the night, meditate upon God, and the things that belong
to your peace. Upon a sick-bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be
still. When you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be silent, wait
for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence must be put in
God. Honour him, by trusting in him only: therefore, after commanding the
sacrifices of righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust in the Lord.
VERSES 6-8
Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all they want is outward
good, present good, partial good, good meat, good drink, a good trade, and a
good estate; but what are all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most
men, but a gracious soul will not be put off so. Lord, let us have thy favour,
and let us know that we have it, we desire no more; let us be satisfied of thy
loving-kindness, and will be satisfied with it. Many inquire after happiness,
but David had found it. When God puts grace in the heart, he puts gladness in
the heart. Thus comforted, he pitied, but neither envied nor feared the most
prosperous sinner. He commits all his affairs to God, and is prepared to welcome
his holy will. But salvation is in Christ alone; where will those appear who
despise him as their Mediator, and revile him in his disciples? May they stand
in awe, and no longer sin against the only remedy.