* This Psalm was written by King David at the time when Absalom, his son, had taken over the capitol, Jerusalem, and David and those loyal to him were leaving.
* It was his sad recollection of the sad parade leaving the palace.
* It was in time of sad memories of his feelings of betrayal by one whom he loved.
* It was in light of the lies and painful things Absalom was saying.
* It is a good guide in our dealing with hurts, offenses and painful actions of others.
* We all get hurt. There are always misunderstandings.
* Sometimes, things are said that are painful to us.
* It is much more simple and easy to live like a Christian when you are not hurting.
* Really, our lives speak little to others about our Christian life when we are not offended.
* However, when we get hurt, when painful words are said, our response is the real test of whether Christ made a real difference in our lives.
* Theoretically, Christians should live with the pain of offenses different than those who have not tasted that Jesus Christ is good.
* Being in pain is the greatest test of the difference Jesus makes in our lives.
* God wants to teach us how to respond in life the right way, even when we are hurt.
* So much so, He came down to become a man to show us how to love in pain, respond in grace and “swear to our own hurt and not change” Psalms 15:4.
* Jesus showed us how, told us to do it, and empowers us to succeed.
* However, we all must grow up to that point because it is not easy, especially when your feelings are hurt.
Psa 4:1 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
* This was a common plea for psalms because it was a common beginning for prayers.
* When you are offended or hurt, however, be assured that God is working.
* He is working on your life and in the life of the one who offended you.
* He will answer your prayer, your call, when you pray about the offense and the offender.
* He has and will act righteously in your life and the life of your offender.
* He has and will move in a way to give you relief from the pain and distress.
* He is gracious and He hears your prayers.
Psa 4:2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
* In David's prayer, he expresses his discomfort. Yes, it hurts.
Heart pain can be slower to heal than body pain.
* David's focus here, however, is on two things; those who hurt him and how long he will be suffering this offense.
* We often ask, oh how long will this hurt?
* Or, we ask, how many times will I have to endure this disrespectful treatment from this person?
* Peter asked this question in Matthew 18.
* “How many times should I forgive my brother? Seven times? (meaning completely)
Matthew 18:22 - “And Jesus said unto him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'”
* Not just completely, but completely forever.
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
* “Selah”, the best we can tell, is a musical pause representing a change.
* Does anyone realize what the “King James, Seminary, Bible-scholar, theologically correct” word for “has set apart” is? “Has sanctified”.
* After the “Selah”, you can often recognize a shift: A shift in position, a shift in thought, a shift in attitude, a shift in focus, etc....
* In verse 2, the focus is on self and pain.
* In verse 3, after the “Selah”, the focus is on the sanctification process of God in our lives.
* Same subject (pain and offense), but different focus (from my hurt to what God is doing).
* God sanctifies His children. God allows offenses in our lives for our good, our purifying, our sanctification.
* It is not a matter of God not hearing our prayers, but God is going to continue to allow us to be hurt and offended until He accomplishes His purpose in our lives.
Psa 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah.
* The Hebrew word “Ragaz”, Be angry, stand in awe, tremble (in fear or anger).
* The ESV used the fall back interpretation method, “Let the scripture interpret the scripture”.
* In Ephesians 4:26, the Apostle Paul quoted Psalms 4:4 and in the Greek, it said, * “Be angry (orgidzo-angered or infuriated) and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
* The Holy Spirit through the great Apostle interpreted the Hebrew word for our generation.
* There is no sin in being angry or hurt. However, we are not to use it as an excuse to sin.
* As someone said, “It is not a sin to give anger a ride, but a big mistake to let it drive.”
* Anger can bring out angry responses, hurtful words, poor attitudes and other sins.
* Again, God is telling us that we can carry the hurt and not change our words, attitudes and responses.
* Here is a key. When you get alone, off to your self, lying in your bed, thinking, when you are hurt or have hurt feelings, you will either get better or madder.
* Many times,people have said to me, “It didn't bother me when you said it, but I got to thinking about it, and the more I thought, the madder I got.”
* The Psalmist saw the secret. When you ponder, don't ponder on the offense. Don't think about the offender.
* Ponder your own heart. Ponder what God is doing. Search for God's hand in your life.
* I assure you, if, when you are offended and have hurt feelings, you “in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths,” to healing and recovery.
Psa 4:5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
* Offer right sacrifices. Consider this.
When you are angry, don't you want to sacrifice the offender?
* I told someone once after observing a conflict, “If looks could kill, you would at least be limping throughout the rest of your life.”
* When we are mad and/or hurt, we want someone to pay.
* None of us have a natural desire to bear the pain ourselves.
* However, look at how our Supreme Example modeled it.
* There are two kinds of forgiveness; two levels of forgiveness.
* The first is to release the offender from the consequences of causing suffering.
* The second, more complete forgiveness is total restoration of relationship.
* It can come when the offender seeks forgiveness and it is granted by the offended.
* The first one is modeled by Jesus Christ on the Cross when He said, “Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.
* That first level not only released the other person from retribution for the pain they caused, it releases us from the damage and the bond to the offender that the offense creates.
* However, it does not restore the relationship because it is unilateral.
* Yet it is extremely important for, not only our emotional and psychological well being, but our spiritual development also.
* It means “bearing the pain, bearing the shame, carrying the hurt, releasing the other person from hatred and anger, by accepting the pain.”
* Listen to Colossians 3:12-14: “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
* That is the right sacrifice from verse 5, the sacrifice of self, instead of demanding payment or pain on the offender.
* That is swearing to one's own hurt and not changing. Psalms 15:4.
* That is focusing on our tasks and our spiritual growth instead of majoring on others' offenses.
Psa 4:6 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!"
* There are many watching us in this life.
* They are asking, “Has Christ really made a difference in your life?”
* “Show us how Christ would respond in this situation. Show us a real Christian.”
* “Lift up your face in us, Oh Lord, in how we respond to offenses.”
Psa 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
* There is always a pay-off in letting Christ shine through us.
* It is joy in our hearts; more joy in our hearts than in the farmers at harvest and the wine makers in a good year.
* More than party goers when the food is flowing and the wine is abundant.
* More than the harvest celebrations in farming communities in a bountiful year.
* Our joy does not come from circumstances and situations, but from God's smile upon us.
Psa 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
* Healing! Peace and restoration.
* Too many times when I am hurt and I began to regain my right mind, I have to deal with my self-serving, self-defending responses before I can have peace.
* I have done more damage than the original offense.
* I have to deal with more damage that I have created than caused by my offender.
* But when I respond through God's way, I have peace that goes beyond reason, understanding and circumstances. (Philippians 4:7).
