Psalm 4:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

NIV: Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

NASB: But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.

CSB: Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.

NLT: You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.

KJV: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

NKJV: But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

David assures Absalom's followers (2 Samuel 15:13–14) that God had set David apart, and would answer David's prayers. Absalom wasn't godly, nor was he the Lord's chosen king of Israel. David was both godly and the Lord's anointed king.

To be "set apart" for the Lord is to be distinguished by God as different from the ungodly. The concept of being "set apart" is the essential meaning of terms such as holy and holiness.

In the time of Israel's slavery in Egypt, the Lord distinguished His people from the Egyptians. Exodus 8:22–23 contains the Lord's message to Pharaoh. It reads: "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between my people and your people."

Today, as well, the Lord makes a distinction between His people and unbelievers. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:19: "'The Lord knows those who are his,' and 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'"

Psalm 4:1–5 discloses David's appeal to God for grace, and his appeal to his enemies to stop listening to hollow words and lies. They should recognize that the Lord is on David's side and answers his prayers. The prayer rises from the occasion referred to in Psalm 3:1. David was surrounded and pursued by his enemies, who supported the rebellious Absalom. Psalm 5 includes a similar prayer from David. Psalm 91 echoes the confidence David expresses in Psalm 3:3–4, 8. Also in Psalm 4:1–5, David gives wise spiritual counsel. He counsels Absalom's followers to stop listening to Absalom's lies and to know that the Lord has set David apart for the role of Israel's king. In addition, David advises his own followers to avoid sinning, to offer sacrifices to the Lord, and to trust in him.

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 5/8/2024 10:14:16 PM