Psalm 4:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

NIV: Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

NASB: You have put joy in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.

CSB: You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound.

NLT: You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

KJV: Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

NKJV: You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

Joy is listed in Galatians 5:22–23 as one of the qualities included in the fruit of the Spirit. It is the opposite of discouragement. Joy is not always happiness, or the result of happy circumstances (James 1:2–4; Luke 6:22–23). David's joy in the midst of peril demonstrates his close relationship with God. He compares his joy to that of farmers at harvest time. They rejoice in having an abundance of grain and wine, but David says his joy exceeds theirs.

Joy accompanies our obedience to Jesus' commandments (John 15:10–11) and our practice of praying in Jesus' name (John 16:24). Although some critics of our faith assume that Christianity is dull and drab, it is the opposite. Romans 14:17 describes the kingdom of God as a matter "of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." In Paul's letter to the Philippians the words "joy" and "rejoice" appear frequently. Like David, the apostle Paul experienced joy amid very difficult circumstances, and we can too.

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 5/2/2024 10:18:02 AM