Psalm 4:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"

NIV: Many, Lord, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine on us.

NASB: Many are saying, 'Who will show us anything good?' Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!

CSB: Many are asking, "Who can show us anything good?" Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord.

NLT: Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?' Let your face smile on us, Lord.

KJV: There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

NKJV: There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

Apparently, many of David's followers were growing weary of living in the wilderness with Absalom's forces in hot pursuit (2 Samuel 15:13–14; Psalm 3:1). They wondered if they would ever see any good come from their difficult situation.

Discouragement often strikes beleaguered Christians. Trials and persecution can begin to take their toll on our faith. We know Romans 8:28 promises that everything works for together for good for those who love God, but we long to see the evidence that it does. Nevertheless, the Lord instructed that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Also, Galatians 6:9 counsels us to persevere in doing good, promising that "in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Knowing many of his followers were becoming discouraged, David prayed for the Lord to shine the light of His face upon him and his men. In other words, he asked the Lord to place His favor upon them. The best way to combat discouragement is to pray for encouragement from God!

Psalm 4:6–8 discloses David's joy and peace despite being surrounded by enemies. Other psalms include references to God's face shining in favor (Psalm 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; 119:135). Romans 14:17 and Galatians 5:22 speak of joy and peace as the possessions of those in whom the Holy Spirit lives and reigns. The letter to the Philippians, a prison epistle, overflows with the apostle Paul's joy and peace, though he was shackled by Roman soldiers. David's testimony in Psalm 4:7–8 supports the fact that joy and peace do not depend on favorable circumstances but on one's trust in the Lord.

Psalm 4 begins with David's prayer in which he asks God for grace. Then he addresses men, likely his current enemies, urging them to shun lies and stop rebelling against God. David encourages his own followers to avoid sin. Instead, they are to search their hearts, offer sacrifices to the Lord, and trust in the Lord. Despite all the enmity Absalom and his men were hurling against David, David's heart is full of more joy than farmers experience when they have an abundant harvest. The psalm closes with David testifying to peaceful sleep that the Lord gives him by causing him to dwell safely.

Psalm 4 shares themes with Psalm 3. Psalm 3 refers to David's rising up in the morning, whereas Psalm 4 refers to his nighttime sleep. It seems both Psalm 3 and Psalm 4 were written after David and his followers had left Jerusalem and crossed the Jordan River. At the time, Absalom, David's son had usurped the throne (2 Samuel 15—18). Despite horrific circumstances, David exercised trust in the Lord, bringing him joy and peace. Psalm 5 also focuses on David's prayer when his enemies tried to destroy him. When Jesus' disciples were greatly troubled, He told them not to let their hearts be troubled but instead trust in His Father and in Him (John 14:1). He gave them His supernatural peace (John 14:27). Psalm 17, like Psalm 4, features David's urgent prayer for deliverance from his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/23/2024 8:25:41 PM