Mercy Brings Fearless Gladness

Psalms 4:1-8 

1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood?

Selah

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

4 Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say,
"Who will show us any good?"
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

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

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

David prayed for relief in distressing adversity from the adversary, knowing it was answered out of God’s righteousness and not his own.  The king cried out for mercy, to not get what he deserved in his own unrighteousness, nor what the enemy was assaulting him with in adverse situations.  He prayed for relief from suffering and the barrage of attacks in the mercy of God’s grace.  He also asked how long people would shame him and seek lies to slander him with as they only seemed to live for worthless and meaningless things.  He most likely desired them to be like him in seeking the things of God instead in bringing this up.  Then he paused to let that sink in.  David knew God sets apart those who live according to His word and will from the heart, and since he was doing that, God would definitely hear his prayer in that distress.  He had faith in God’s faithfulness.  He told himself to trust God by not reacting to all the adversity with unresolved anger, but to deal with that anger by thinking it through according to His word as he lay in bed before falling asleep at the end of the day.  This is great advice by example for all of us.  We need to be still and meditate on the day, our anger at those who assault or offend us, and then talk to God to resolve our hearts towards forgiveness in the mercy He shows us daily (Lamentations 3:22-24, Ephesians 4:26).  Stop and meditate on that.  Our sacrifices according to these God-inspired words of David are righteous living according to His word with faith that trusts and acts as James describes throughout his epistle for us and which 1 John elaborates on (James 2:18, 1 John 2:3-6).  Our faith should be in God’s work and move us to participate in kind.  Instead of growing bitter because others do not do these good things to us as shown for us as to do as described in this Psalm, we should pray for God to help.  Verses 6 and 7 make it clear that God’s character and grace showered on us give us the joy in spite of unreciprocated grace we show others.  He gives gladness in spite of the adversarial attacks and unthankful and unkind actions given in return for our goodness shown to those opposing us.  This turning the other cheek comforts us and allows us to sleep well at night, knowing God watches over us as His people and children.  Only He can give such rest and keep us eternally safe.  His mercy gives us fearless gladness in following Him according to His word.  This is grace to shower on others, even our enemies (Romans 12:20-21).