If you know very much about David's life, and I think probably all of you do know very much about David's life,
then you aren't surprised to find that his Psalms are really permeated with distressing circumstances, aren't they?
We are not very soon leaving off this really dramatic scene in Psalm 3 with his son Absalom
that we immediately pick right back up with another scenario in which he is in distress,
and he's crying out to the Lord once again.
Over and over, we see it. He cries out to God to intervene in troubling situations,
and very often in these Psalms, he expresses to us that God did just that.
He answers the prayer, and he delivers him. Not always, but very often we see that, and it's quite helpful.
We learn through David's example here, through the Psalms, that an exit from one trial is actually very often the entrance into another one.
And we are continually confronted by this truth in the book of Psalms.
And in that way, the Psalms are like life, reminding us that deliverance from one distress
doesn't result in freedom from all hardship.
I think whoever it is that's responsible for curating these Psalms in the way that they did,
and of course we believe that David did a huge amount of the foundational work for that
as really the architect of Israel's corporate worship early on as a king.
We find evidence of that in the Old Testament, that David was probably responsible for a lot of that.
And as he's curating these things, I think the Psalmist intends for us to see this,
to see and be confronted constantly by the fact that we constantly are going to go through distresses,
that there will be actually seasons in our life where we're moving really just from one season of distress to another.
You know what that's like.
Many of you are living in that period of time right now in your life,
where it seems like as soon as you come out of one kind of hardship,
there's just another thing to deal with.
There's just another heartache to have to go through.
There's another sin to repent of.
There's another circumstance for which you must cry out to the Lord.
I think that's the point that we are to see here,
and even the way that the Psalms are put together.
Like David, we sometimes have very little opportunity to even catch a breath
before moving on from one trying season to another.
And that's precisely why the Psalms are so helpful to us, aren't they?
They will not let us deny the reality of suffering.
As many tend to do, we go through these periods of denial
where we just kind of want to ignore the hardships of life.
We just kind of want to put them behind us and just focus on other things,
maybe psychologically trying to ignore everything that's wrong
and only focus on what is good and really to our detriment.
The Psalms don't let us do that.
They don't let us ignore suffering,
but neither will they allow us to wallow in self-pity.
The Psalms teach us how to process,
how to respond to all sorts of trying circumstances.
They teach us where God is at in our suffering.
And in the process of doing that,
they offer us hope every step of the way as we march through them.
And Psalm 4 is no exception to that.
But really what Psalm 4 does is it gives us a song in the night,
a prayer that brings peace in the midst of our chaos.
Just a couple of notes about the structure of the Psalm
in case you're wondering how we're piecing it together.
Maybe the better way to say that is how we are taking it apart here
to see the various portions.
Remember, this is poetry.
This is song.
It's written in stanza.
In fact, if you're studying through the Psalms yourself,
really probably the most fruitful way to try to get the idea
that is presented in each one
is to break apart the stanzas themselves.
Think about a song that you would sing in church,
a congregational hymn perhaps.
Each stanza is really kind of giving us a different idea.
There's one big theme to it,
but each stanza is supporting that theme in a different way.
And if you will look closely at the way even the Bible publishers have kind of broken the verses apart,
they help us to see the way that the psalmist intended for it to be.
You'll notice that verse 1 and verse 8 are alone.
There's gaps between those and the others.
Verse 1 really is kind of an introduction to the song,
where verse 8 is kind of a conclusion to the song, right?
They really stand on their own.
And then in between these two,
we see three stanzas.
Each stanza contains two verses in our numbering system,
but each verse has two lines.
Those are poetic arrangements, okay?
So think that we're seeing this as a poem laid out on a page.
And there's three main stanzas to the body,
and each one is making a statement,
and then it's responding to the statement.
That's why the selahs are placed in such a weird spot in this psalm.
Did you notice that?
The selahs, different than Psalm 3,
they're not positioned at the end of a stanza,
they're positioned in the middle of a stanza.
Do you see it?
There's a selah in between verses 2 and 3
that's right in the middle of a verse,
or of a stanza.
There's another selah in between verse 4 and verse 5,
right in the middle of another stanza.
Now, you don't have to know all of that,
except that's how we're going to break it apart.
We're going to break it apart as the text leads us
to break it apart this morning.
So I want you to turn your eye back to verse 1.
We'll use this as our introduction then, right?
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness.
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me.
Hear my prayer.
Sometimes the context of David's circumstances are made clear.
As in Psalm 3, it was made very clear to us.
But we don't usually know the precise situation
that gives rise to his songs.
There is good reason to believe that Psalm 4
should be understood in relation to the aftermath
of what has unfolded in Psalm 3 with David's son Absalom,
with this whole conspiracy.
There's good reason.
A lot of people make that argument,
and it's probably a pretty healthy argument to consider.
I want to avoid the kind of dogma today
that imposes a context on this psalm
that the text itself doesn't impose.
I want to be careful about that.
I'm not going to deal with it from that perspective.
We're not really going to think about Absalom so much
in that scenario.
The psalm really stands on its own,
and we need to interpret it that way.
That being said,
what has led to David's distress in this psalm
is actually quite clear in the text.
James Montgomery Boyce says it this way,
in this psalm,
the problem is one of malicious slander and lies.
It is the psalmist's reputation
rather than his person that is being attacked,
and what he needs is a sense of the presence
and approval of God
rather than physical deliverance.
So Psalm 4,
the context here,
the circumstance,
is very different from Psalm 3.
It's very different from the previous psalm.
Here,
David isn't running for his life.
He's fighting for his reputation.
That's what's happening.
Now,
that doesn't mean that
he isn't still under extreme distress.
Clearly,
he is.
Listen to the call in verse 1.
Oh,
Lord,
hear my cry.
Answer me,
Lord,
please,
answer me.
That's anguish.
It's distress.
But it's not the same as Psalm 3.
At least the circumstances is.
The point is
that while suffering
comes in all shapes and sizes,
the one to which we make our appeals
and the trust with which we cry out to him
is unchanging.
You say you've got the David of Psalm 3
who's literally running for his life.
Then you've got the David of Psalm 4
who is in distress
because his reputation is being torn apart
completely different circumstances
and yet his cry is the same.
He makes his appeal to the same God.
He makes his appeal in the same way.
He executes such similar trust
in both situations.
You see,
some of you are here
and you're facing very serious circumstances
that relate to your very physical life.
Maybe it's in relation to your health
or maybe there is some sort of danger
that's around the way.
Others of you are here
and your circumstances of suffering
are quite different from that.
But our response to God in that
is unchanging.
It's the same.
We cry to the same God.
We cry often with the same intensity.
It demands the same trust.
David cries to God alone
for help in each circumstance
knowing that only the Lord
can cause him to, quote,
dwell in safety as we see in verse 8.
Now,
there's a shift in the song
that we have to acknowledge here
that's going to help us
to understand the whole song.
It begins with feelings of distress
in verse 1.
It ends
with feelings of
safety.
Do you see that?
Verse 1,
answer me when I call.
You've given me relief
when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me
because I'm in distress again.
Please hear my prayer.
That's how he starts.
Notice how he concludes
in verse 8.
In peace,
I will lie down and sleep.
For you alone
make me dwell
in safety.
That's quite the shift,
isn't it?
Distress
to safety.
It moves from anxiety
in its opening plea
to peace
in its closing praise.
Thus is the hope
that God intends
for us to discover
as we enjoy
and study
the Psalms.
Isn't that the point?
Isn't that what God
wants us to see here?
In many of the Psalms
that there is hope.
But what is it
that makes the difference
for David?
What is it that makes
the difference
that moves him
from this anxiety
at the beginning
to the safety
at the end?
It's not a change
in his circumstance
for no change
is ever actually
mentioned in the text.
Do you see that?
When we read through it,
did you realize
David never said,
oh Lord,
thank you
for hearing my prayer.
That's not what he did.
There's no change
in his situation here.
Yet,
there is change
in his disposition
toward the circumstance.
I want to suggest
that it is the act
of prayer
or song itself
that moves David
from one end
of the emotional spectrum
to the other.
And in this way,
Psalm 4 teaches us
the significant role
of prayer
and of hymnody,
song,
in the life
of a believer.
Not as a coping mechanism,
but as an instrument
of divine intervention
through the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Are you with me on that?
I just want to make clear
the trajectory here.
David's got a very real situation
and there's a very significant way
that he's going to approach it
as we work through the text.
I want to suggest
that what moves him
from one thing in verse 1
to another thing in verse 8
is the prayer itself,
is the song itself,
that God uses prayer,
God uses hymnody
as divine instruments
to lift the heads
of his people,
to lift the hearts
of his people,
even when he does not
change their circumstances,
even when he does not
resolve their conflict.
And I want you to see
that clearly here
in the psalm.
Now let's work
through the stanzas
themselves.
Here's how I might label
the first stanza.
We see a warning
to sinners.
A warning
to sinners.
Verse 2.
O men,
how long
shall my honor
be turned into shame?
How long
will you love
vain words
and seek after lies?
Selah,
think about that.
Who is it
that's supposed
to pause
in this moment
and think?
The sinners are.
The slanderers are.
How long
will you continue
in this?
And then he provides
further explanation.
But know
that the Lord
has set apart
the godly
for himself.
the Lord
hears
when I call
to him.
This is a warning.
A very clear warning.
And it is directed
to sinners.
To the slanderers
who have come
against David
in this moment.
So after asking
for God
to hear him,
David addresses
his enemies
directly.
And what is the warning
in relation to?
It's in relation
to the perils
of slandering
those
whom God
has set apart
for himself.
Men here,
it translates
a word
that connotes
men of significance.
Exalted
ones
as it reads
in the
CSB.
These leaders
in David's life,
they are attempting
to ruin
David's good reputation
and they are doing
that by telling
lies
about him.
They're tearing
him down
in order
that they might
build themselves
up.
They are actively
seeking to
turn David's
honor
into shame
which the
New Testament
routinely calls
slander.
Okay,
that's the word
we're working
with here.
This is
slander
coming against
David.
How is he going
to deal with it?
The chances
are
that you know
what it's like
to be slandered
against.
you know
what it's like
to have someone
malign your
character
through
deception.
You know
how distressing
it can be
for people
to tear you
down
especially
when it's
untrue.
Especially
as it affects
your
sphere of
influence
on others.
Perhaps
you're
a wife
whose husband
has
misrepresented
you to
your children
in order
that he
might win
the loyalty
of the
children
to himself
and away
from you.
Perhaps
in your
place of
work
you have
been the
one
that has
been
passed
over
for that
promotion
because
the
co-workers
out of
their
envy
have
misled
the
people
that
are
in
charge
of
the
promotion
and
has
held
you
back.
Perhaps
it's
happened
in the
context
of the
local
church
to you
that
people
have
turned
their
backs
on you
because
someone
else
in the
church
that
had a
vendetta
is
coming
against
you
they're
spreading
lies
or at
least
they are
misrepresenting
who you
are or
what you've
done or
what you
believe.
Don't you
know what
that's like?
Of course
you do.
it's
one
thing
for your
sins
to be
exposed
so that
people
know who
you truly
are.
That's
one
thing
to deal
with.
It's
quite
another
thing
for
someone
to use
deceptive
means
to cause
others
to think
less
of you.
Like
everyone
else
David
had his
failures
that's
for sure
but in
this
instance
he was
misrepresented
and lied
about
by those
who were
envious
of his
position
seeking
to advance
their own
cause
instead
and that
of course
is something
that we
all can
relate to.
Well David
confronts
them
but how
is it
that he
confronts
them?
He
confronts
them by
drawing
attention
not to
the truth
of who
he is.
He
doesn't
defend
his
character.
What
does he
do?
He
draws
their
attention
to his
relationship
with God.
It's
actually
interesting
honor
here
is the
same
word
that's
used
as
glory
in
Psalm
3
and
verse
3
look
back
at
that
verse
in
Psalm
3
and
verse
3
David
says
but you
O Lord
are a
shield
about
me
you
O Lord
are my
glory
he
says
God
is
his
glory
David
means
that
anything
good
of
his
reputation
anything
that
he
wants
to
be
known
about
him
is
directly
linked
to
his
relationship
to
God
anything
good
about
who
he
is
a
result
of
God's
work
of
grace
in
his
life
David
recognizes
that
but
even
more
than
that
David
warns
the
enemies
in
verse
3
this
is
back
to
Psalm
4
in
verse
3
again
bringing
in
the
unique
relationship
between
God
and
his
people
look
at
the
verse
but
know
oh
men
that
the
Lord
has
set
apart
the
godly
for
himself
the
Lord
hears
when
I
call
I
belong
to
him
don't
you
realize
what
you're
doing
David's
honor
is
directly
tied
to
his
relationship
with
God
and
to
shame
that
honor
in
the
way
that
it
has
been
shamed
by
these
men
is
to
be
viewed
as
a
reproach
against
God
himself
that's
the
point
here
just
as
a
mother
takes
offense
at
an
injustice
against
her
child
so
does
God
take
offense
to
injustices
against
his
people
hence
the
inerrant
danger
in
carelessly
slandering
those
whom
God
has
set
apart
for
himself
that's
the
warning
don't
you
realize
old
men
that
the
Lord
has
chosen
me
the
Lord
has
set
me
apart
I
belong
to
him
he
has
set
me
apart
for
himself
and
by
the
way
because
I
belong
to
him
he
listens
to
me
he
hears
my
prayer
he
answers
my
cries
this
is
a
warning
flashing
lights
to
the
slanderers
bad
things
are
ahead
for
you
if
you
continue
to
tear
down
those
who
belong
to
God
the
heart
of the
warning
is a
reminder
that he
belongs
to the
Lord
that
God
hears
his
prayer
and
that
should
be
a
truth
that
strikes
fear
into
the
hearts
of his
enemies
it
should
strike
fear
now
surely
this
was a
means
of
easing
David's
distress
about
the
whole
ordeal
right
can
you
see
how
that
would
happen
as
he
reminds
his
enemies
that
the
Lord
hears
and
protects
his
people
David
surely
must
have
realized
afresh
in
that
moment
that
what
he
said
to
them
applies
directly
to
him
he
belonged
to
God
and
what
was
a
warning
to
his
enemies
must
have
undoubtedly
been
an
encouraging
promise
for
him
right
as
he
tells
his
enemies
I
belong
to
God
he's
going
to
hear
my
prayer
that's
a
warning
for
you
surely
in
the
midst
of
that
moment
he
even
turns
back
to
himself
and
says
I
belong
to
him
he
hears
my
prayer
he
will
come
to
my
aid
what
an
encouragement
as
he
prays
against
these
other
people
to
have
the
Lord
lift
him
up
in
such
a
helpful
way
what
is
our
hope
in
distress
as
we
sing
all
the
time
what
is
our
hope
in
life
and
death
the
he
says
that
we
are
not
our
own
but
we
belong
body
and
soul
to
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
what
is
David's
hope
here
his
hope
is
that
he
belongs
to
God
what
is
our
hope
we
belong
to
him
he
hears
us
and
he
will
vindicate
his
people
in
one
way
or
another
he
will
vindicate
his
people
he
will
save
us
from
all
of
our
distresses
!
in
one
way
or
another
What an
encouragement!
But of
course
this is a
warning
first
we take
great
encouragement
from it
I hope
you do
but let's
listen to it
as a
warning
first
though we
know what
it's like
to be
slandered
against
it's
actually
not very
uncommon
for us
to feel
the role
of
slanderer
!
ourselves
isn't that
common?
how
often
have
we
carelessly
torn
apart
the
reputation
of
another
Christian
carelessly
diminished
deceptively
misrepresented
another
ministry
out of
envy
or to
advance
our own
cause
we
call it
contending
for the
faith
when in
reality
very often
it's
just
pride
it's
jealousy
dressed
in the
trappings
of
piety
that if
we say
things in
just the
right way
the people
that we're
talking to
will get
the idea
that we
are better
than them
that our
church is
more useful
than that
church
that we
are more
godly
than that
person
we should
tremble
to treat
those God
has chosen
and set
apart
with such
contempt
it should
strike
fear
in us
to see
someone
who
belongs
to
God
and to
misrepresent
them
tell half
truths
or diminish
their character
in order that
we might try
in some way
to build
ourselves up
in the
process
as I
studied
this
week
how many
times have
I done
this
to think
that
because of
a disagreement
that is
inconsequential
to the
gospel
that I
would tear
down another
believer
or another
church
or another
ministry
that belongs
to the
Lord
and here
David
warns us
the Lord
hears their
prayers
the Lord
answers their
cries
and if he
answers their
cries and we
are the ones
in the wrong
and slandering
against them
we then
will become
the objects
of God's
judgment
and that
should strike
fear
in all
of us
what we
enjoy as a
promise in
this text
we must also
take as a
warning
lest we
also reproach
the glory
of God
by slandering
his people
isn't this
what Paul was
getting at
in Romans
14
we could go
all the way
through and
and try to
separate the
distinctions of
when is it
right to
speak negatively
and when should
we keep
silent
all those
things
I think
Paul says
that for
us in
Romans 14
he actually
makes it
quite clear
where he's
dealing with
really significant
issues among
the Christians
and then finally
gets to the
middle of it
and he says
who are you
to judge the
servant of
another master
and the word
of God
becomes a
mirror in
that verse
for us
who are we
to judge the
servant
of another
master
they belong
to him
and we
need to
be careful
lest we
become the
enemy of
God
bringing a
reproach to
his glory
rather than
glorifying him
in what we
do
well that's
the warning
to sinners
in verse
two and
three
let's look
now at
the way
of repentance
the way
of repentance
in verses
four and
five
notice what
David says
a new
thought now
be angry
and do
not sin
ponder in
your own
hearts on
your beds
and be
silent
rather than
run your
mouth out
there
think about
it in
your heart
in private
process
this
alone
say
like he
says
think about
that
all for
right
sacrifices
put your
trust
in the
Lord
now the
opening
statement
here
the command
here at
the very
beginning
is a little
bit tricky
I need to
admit
so let's
work through
this for
just a second
the word
here in
the ESV
is given
to us
as angry
that's not
a bad
translation
it's correct
but let's
get what's
behind this
for just a
second
and if you've
got a different
translation
some of you
may have a
CSB
it will look
a little
bit different
if you have
a King
James with
you it will
look even
different
from there
all of them
are correct
translations
but language
is weird
isn't it
and we
want to
get the
want to
see conveyed
the meaning
of the author
here
behind this
is a Hebrew
word that
really if it's
translated literally
it means to
tremble
if you have a
new American
standard with you
that's what it
says it says
to tremble
this is the
meaning here
but the reason
for the
trembling
has two
possibilities
that's why
it's difficult
for us
isn't it
that's why
some translations
will say
stand in awe
as the King
James says
some translations
like the ESV
will say
be angry
what's behind
that is
tremble
and we have
to discern
by the help
of the Holy
Spirit
what is this
trembling
in relation
to
now it
could refer
to the
kind of
physical
agitation
that comes
with extreme
anger
have you ever
been so angry
that you
shook
it's kind
of the idea
that's what
this
that's a
potential
interpretation
of the word
here
in this
case
David
would be
saying
to his
enemies
almost
you
like you
may have
a reason
to be
upset
with me
but the
way you're
dealing
with it
is wrong
be angry
with something
that is
truly unjust
about me
or about
my leadership
but don't
sin
in the
process
of
going
through
and dealing
with that
anger
that could
be a
potential
meaning
here
the second
option
is that
it could
refer to
the realization
trembling
as a result
of the
realization
that you
have sinned
against a
holy God
that's why
those
who translated
the King
James version
use stand
in awe
it says
stand in awe
and cease
from sinning
stop
sinning
tremble
before God
now
given the
flow
of the
text
here
context
is king
isn't it
given the
flow
of the
text
the second
option
is the
preferred
reading
here
the command
is to
fear
God
and in
so doing
cease
from the
sin
that you
are committing
and by
faith
turn
to him
for
atonement
do you
see that
in the
flow
of the
text
in
verses
2
and
3
David
confronts
the
sin
that
it
is
not
only
a
sin
against
him
it
is
a
sin
against
God
and now
in
verses
4
and
5
he
follows
that
up
in
its
natural
progression
he
says
now
that
you
have
seen
your
sin
tremble
before
a
holy
God
turn
from
that
sin
offer
right
sacrifices
to
the
Lord
trust
in
him
do you
see
that's
the
flow
of the
text
isn't
it
he
confronts
the
sin
of
the
enemies
he
reminds
them
that
God
will
defend
his
glory
by
hearing
the
prayers
of
his
people
and
in
light
of
that
pending
!
On
one
hand
this
part
of
the
psalm
is
a
gracious
invitation
to
David's
enemies
David
as
king
has
the
right
to
judge
them
for
what
they're
doing
this
is
treason
he
doesn't
do
that
though
what
does
he
do
he
calls
them
to
turn
repent
offer
your
sacrifices
trust
in
the
Lord
cease
from
sinning
is
this
not
the
call
of
salvation
made
clear
throughout
the
scriptures
is
that
not
what's
represented
for
us
here
I
want
you to
hear
me
closely
maybe
kids
and
teenagers
in
particular
right
now
some
of
you
I
know
you
are
contemplating
the
things
of
the
gospel
you
are
considering
conversion
what
that
means
what
does
it
mean
to
be
a
Christian
what
does
it
mean
to
be
saved
what
must
I
do
or
not
do
and
what
does
God
do
and
all
of
these
things
and
you're
working
through
all
of
these
things
in
your
life
and
I
want
you
to
give
me
your
eyes
for
just
a
!
young
people
please
give me
your
eyes
David's
correction
here
it
corresponds
to the
call of
repentance
to follow
Christ
now there's
two pieces
of this
and I
know you
know it
there is
the
regenerating
piece
right
that's
the
part
of
salvation
that
is
totally
a
work
of
God's
grace
God
does
this
amazing
supernatural
work
Jesus
called
it
being
born
again
in
which
he
comes
in
the
Holy
Spirit
comes
in
like
the
wind
in
John
3
and
he
regenerates
the
heart
he
takes
a
dead
person
and
he
makes
them
living
again
and
that's
the
gracious
work
of
God
now
here's
the
thing
I
know
!
everybody
that's
here
I
know
you
know
that
well
I
know
you
got
that
down
I
know
that
maybe
you
even
get
excited
at
the
prospect
of
that
it
takes
so much
pressure
off
of
us
doesn't
it
to
just
think
that
salvation
belongs
to the
Lord
in
that
way
and
that's
wonderful
but
it's
not
all
there's
another
piece
to
this
we
call
it
conversion
don't
we
if
regeneration
is
the
piece
where
God
comes
in
supernaturally
and he
transforms
the heart
of a
believer
of someone
who he
intends
to
save
the
second
part
of
this
is
what
we
call
conversion
which
is
an
entirely
human
response
it
is
an
act
of
the
will
and
what
is
this
act
of
the
will
it
turns
from
sin
and
it
turns
to
Christ
in
faith
now
I
know
everybody
in
this
room
I
know
you've
heard
the
gospel
message
a
thousand
times
probably
you
could
probably
preach
that
message
itself
as well
as I
could
you
know
it
you
know
it
well
now
I
want
you
to
look
at
these
action
verbs
in
this
verse
tremble
cease
from
sin
ponder
in your
own
heart
think
about
this
offer
put
all
things
that
David
says
the
enemies
must
do
in
response
to
the
word
of
God
I
know
you've
heard
the
gospel
a
million
times
before
I
don't
want
you to
let
the
doctrine
of
divine
grace
lull
you
into
a
state
of
continued
unbelief
love
you
with
me
you
listen
young
people
in
particular
right
now
don't
let
the
doctrine
of
grace
lull
you
into
this
idea
that
really
salvation
has
nothing
to do
with
me
that
this
work
of
grace
just
means
I
sit
on
the
couch
and
at
some
point
I'm
going
to
wake
up
and
be
a
Christian
that
is
not
the
presentation
of the
gospel
that's
given
to us
in
this
scripture
you
are
responsible
to
turn
from
your
sin
you
are
responsible
to
turn
in
faith
to
Jesus
Christ
and
in
this
moment
God
has
issued
his
call
to
you
he
has
extended
his
invitation
I
know
he
has
because
you've
been
in
service
after
service
after
service
Sunday
after
Sunday
after
Sunday
at
Lakeside
Bible
church
where
this
invitation
of
the
gospel
has
been
extended
to
you
you've
sat
in
your
homes
with
you
have
issued
this
call
to
respond
to
the
gospel
you
have
listened
to
it
in
your
Bible
studies
you
have
heard
it
again
and
again
and
again
and
again
God
has
issued
his
call
he
has
said
come
he
has
said
turn
he
has
said
believe
the
gracious
work
is
being
done
if
you
remain
unconverted
that's
on
you
the
call
is
extended
so
believe
turn
from
your
sin
turn
to
Christ
cry
out
to
him
for
mercy
offer
your
sacrifices
which in
our case
has already
been done
for us
Jesus
is the
sacrifice
and God
extends
his grace
it is by
grace
that you
are here
today
that you
hear this
message
again
and God
is saying
come
to me
just
believe
just
turn
follow
me
and if
you leave
this place
today
and you
remain
steadfast
in your
sin
it's because
you have
chosen
in your
will
to do
so
but God
calls you
to him
so
come
to him
nothing
in your
hand
you
bring
simply
to the
cross
you
cling
naked
come
to him
for
dress
helpless
look
to him
for
grace
is this
not
David's
presentation
of the
gospel
turn
from your
sin
and
believe
and with
David
can I
just
extend
to you
once
again
Paul
says
to the
Corinthians
Christ
has
given
us
this
ministry
of
reconciliation
and we
implore
you
on behalf
of Christ
be
reconciled
to God
here is
the message
here is
what he
has done
now come
to him
come
and believe
don't wait
any longer
it's an
urgent plea
from God
you may
not have
tomorrow
you may
not have
tomorrow
what a
tragedy
to stand
before the
Lord
and say
well Lord
you just
never did
anything
for me
only for
him to
say
all of
those times
you read
your Bible
all of
those times
you listen
to Pastor
Jared and
the others
in the church
share the
gospel with
you
all of
those times
that my
spirit was
freaking your
heart to
respond
why didn't
you come
why didn't
you believe
don't let
another day
go by
come to
him
respond in
faith
then and
only then
will you
be able
to move
from the
group that
David is
confronting
in verses
2 through
5 to
the experience
that David
has in
verses 6
and 7
notice with
me in the
final stanza
the joy of
knowing God
the joy of
knowing God
verse 6
David says
there's many
who say
his attention
is back to
God now
there are
many who
say
who will
show us
some good
now he
quotes
from Aaron's
blessing in
Numbers
lift up
the light
of your
face upon
us
oh Lord
this is an
amazing
statement
in verse
7
you have
put more
joy in
my heart
than they
have when
their grain
and their
wine
abound
just let
that settle
in for
just a
second
think about
what David's
going through
here
what's behind
this song
is distress
and as he
closes
as he nears
the end
what is it
that he
says
God you
have put
joy in
my heart
you have
not only
put joy
in my
heart
you've
put more
joy in
my heart
than in
all of
their
hearts
when they
get
everything
that
they
want
out of
this
life
he addresses
the Lord
his tone
is entirely
different
than at
the beginning
though
it's as if
he has
put away
the distress
now
and is
determined
to offer
praise
in the
place
of his
earlier
pleas
though
others
remain
dissatisfied
with what
they lack
David
announces
that in
God
he has
found
total
satisfaction
if the
people around
him
reached
the
pinnacle
of the
prosperity
that they
desired
he would
still have
more joy
in his
heart
than them
I want
you to
think about
that
you look
around
you
we all
fall
into that
pit
from time
to time
of keeping
up with
the
Joneses
don't
we
we want
to have
what everyone
else has
we want
to reach
the pinnacle
of our
professions
we want
to have
enough
money
that we
can live
in comfort
all the
time
we want
to have
the stuff
and the
cars
and the
houses
whatever
it is
we want
to have
this stuff
most of
us
we feel
that urge
we feel
that temptation
and then we
look around
at the people
around us
who do not
know the
Lord
and we see
that even
once they
get those
things
the pursuit
doesn't end
they get
the stuff
and then they
just keep
pressing forward
there's always
something else
that they want
there's always
something else
it's like
they can't
be satisfied
and David
here he says
no there
is a satisfaction
that is final
there is a type
of satisfaction
that is full
and it's complete
that God
in himself
he offers
us something
that this world
it just
cannot provide
and I know
that statement
is cliche
but it's true
David's a testimony
of it here
how could someone
facing
such distress
possess
so much
joy of heart
how is that
even possible
he tells us
in the verse
you have
put
more joy
in my heart
how did David
experience this
how did he have
this joy
God put it
there
it's another
work of grace
isn't it
there was a
supernatural
work of grace
made evident
in David's
experience
it was the
existence
of a joy
that Peter
wrote
is quote
inexpressible
and full
of glory
Peter wrote
that in his
first epistle
to a group
of people
who were
suffering
tremendously
and what did
he remind
them of
that they
possessed
a joy
that cannot
even be
described
that is
glorious
full of glory
how could
they have
so much
joy
how could
David
have so much
joy
God
put it
there
how did
he do
it
for the
New Testament
believers
Christ
put it
there
it's a
work of
grace
joy
isn't
contingent
on physical
circumstances
joy
is contingent
on knowing
God
not knowing
about
God
but truly
knowing
him
an intimate
fellowship
and communion
and perhaps
you're here
and perhaps
your view
of God
is as
this kind
of force
that you
have to
discern
this thing
this object
that you
have to
study
and observe
and analyze
that is not
what the
scripture presents
to us
about who
God is
the scriptures
reveal a
God
who is a
person
a person
that is
knowable
who can
be known
who desires
to be
known
where does
this joy
come from
for David
it comes
from
knowing
God
that's why
he can make
such a bold
statement
in tremendous
distress
knowing God
and his
salvation
was more
valuable
to David
than all
the honor
and wealth
that this
world could
possibly
offer
that's a
pretty
magnificent
presentation
of the
gospel
isn't it
isn't that
kind of what
Jesus said
quote the
parable all
the time
because I
love it
so much
there's the
man he
comes in
the field
and he's
walking through
and he trips
over this
little treasure
box
and he
realizes
oh I've
never seen
such treasure
before
surely there's
nothing in
this life
that could
compare to
this treasure
and he goes
and he sells
the land
or he sells
everything that
he has
he turns
away from
it all
and he buys
that one
block of
property in
order that he
could have
this treasure
and Jesus
says I'm
the treasure
you're chasing
all this stuff
in your life
you're looking
for satisfaction
it's just
it's never
going to be
satisfying
I'm offering
you something
that is so
much more
Jesus says
but that brings
us to an
important question
if knowing
God is what
puts this joy
in David's
heart
if knowing
God is what
is supernaturally
done
as a work of
grace
in these New
Testament believers
that Peter was
writing to
so that their
joy was
inexpressible
if that's
what's happening
here how
can we
know God
how
we can
look to
David
to know a
lot about
God
but to
truly know
God
we have to
look beyond
David
we have to
look to
Jesus
who the
writer of
Hebrews says
is the
radiance
of the
glory of
God
the exact
imprint
of God's
nature
the son
through whom
God has
spoken to
us
in these
last days
if you want
to know
God
come to
Jesus
if you want
to see
God
look at
Jesus
if you want
to hear
God speak
listen to
Jesus
that's how
we know
him
because of
our sin
you know
we have
no fellowship
with God
we're
condemned
John 3
tells us
we're
condemned
already
it's not
just that
we await
a condemnation
ahead in our
future
no we
stand
condemned
before God
without
Christ
sin
is the
reason
we need
God's
gracious
intervention
and he
gives it
he sent
his son
who on
the cross
suffered
God's
wrath
in our
place
and then
God
raised him
from the
dead
as you
know
God
raised him
from the
dead
to show
that
Jesus'
sacrifice
was
sufficient
it was
a sufficient
atonement
when David
tells his
enemies
offer right
sacrifices
we take
that differently
we look
to Jesus
and say
no the
right sacrifice
has been
offered
it's already
been offered
there's
nothing
for us
to do
but turn
and believe
through
Christ
God
has made
a way
for us
to know
him
again
and he
provides
the abundant
joy
exemplified
by David
in Psalm
4
Christ
brings
that to
us
we know
God
through
him
it's so
hard
to
grasp
it
I
know
I
know
it's
supernatural
it is a
work of
the spirit
of God
in our
lives
and he
invites us
to it
you can't
know God
in a more
complete way
than even
David
but you
have to
come to him
through Jesus
Jesus
said it
plainly
in John
14
Jesus
said to
him
I'm
the way
I'm
the truth
I'm
the life
no one
comes to
the father
no one
can know
the father
except
through me
if you
had known
me
he says
you would
have known
my father
also
and from
now on
he speaks
to his
disciples
as believers
from now
on you
do know
him
and you
have seen
him
how do
they know
him
because
they know
Jesus
how have
they seen
him
because
they've
seen
Jesus
don't you
see
come to
Jesus
and you'll
know the
joy
now we have
to conclude
don't we
David concludes
for us in
verse 8
look at it
with me
in peace
I will both
lie down
and sleep
for you
alone
oh Lord
make me
dwell
in safety
you know
it's interesting
there's no
resolution
to David's
problem
at the end
of the
psalm
that's what
we come to
psalms like
this for
don't we
we come
for resolution
we think
yeah
I know
exactly
what
David's
up against
I got
this one
this
this one
co-worker
is just
an absolute
pain in
the neck
and they're
always telling
lies about
when we
think
okay
let's
see
what
David
did
and then
maybe
I can
take
his
thing
and I
can
apply
it
to
my
situation
and we'll
all
be
good
a lot
of us
we approach
the Bible
that way
don't we
we come
and we
find all
other things
that I
can relate
to
and then
I'm
just
going to
try to
match it
up
and it'll
be like
a formula
that's not
what this
song's about
there's no
resolution
for David
yet somehow
his distress
turns to
security
his anxiety
turns to
peace
could it
be
that the
prayer itself
is the
thing that
God uses
to settle
the hearts
of his
people
that gives
them peaceful
joyful
rest
could it
be
that just
coming to
him in
prayer
is really
all that
we need
that we
don't always
need
resolution
we just
need him
George
MacDonald
said it
this way
what if
God knows
prayer
to be the
thing we
need first
and most
what if
the main
object
in God's
idea of
prayer
be the
supplying
of our
great
and endless
need
the need
of himself
what if
the good
of all
our smaller
and lower
needs
lies in
this
that they
help drive
us to
God
communion
with God
is the
one need
of the
soul
beyond all
other needs
and prayer
is the
beginning
of that
communion
that is a
wonderful
paragraph
isn't that
what's happening
with David
here
he starts
to pray
to the
Lord
and he
thinks
oh yeah
I do
belong
to God
he will
hear my
prayer
oh yeah
he is a
saving
God
oh he's
put so much
joy in
my heart
and by the
time he gets
to the end
of his
prayer
he's just
been thinking
about God
he's just
thinking about
who God
is and
how God
works
and what
does it
do
it
he says
I'm gonna
lay down
now I'm gonna
sleep well
not because
they're not
running their
mouths anymore
but because
I'm just
committing this
to the
Lord
he's good
whatever
happens
with this
it is
what it
is
I have
him
what more
do I
need
oh
Christian
how many
times
have you
cried before
the Lord
and got up
from your
place of
prayer
still anxious
maybe about
a circumstance
!
but filled
with peace
about where
you're at
in your
standing
with God
oh you
know what
it's like
so in
the next
distress
why
wouldn't
you
just
go
back
to
the
prayer
closet
again
I
think
this
is a
supernatural
work
of God
it's an
instrument
of grace
prayer
is
why
because
God
is not
just a
force
to be
discerned
he is
a person
to be
known
and if
we can
know him
that means
he knows
us
and that
in prayer
there is
sweet
communion
it's not
only that
we're
speaking
to him
he is
working
in
us
oh
Christian
go to
the
Lord
in
prayer
and you
will
have
peace
because
God
will
put
it
there
but we
shouldn't
forget
that this
psalm
really
fundamentally
is a
song
isn't
it
it's
composed
for the
purpose
not of
our
private
prayer
closet
but of
our
corporate
worship
service
that's
its
initial
intention
so
that
along
with
prayer
songs
have
this
unique
significance
in the
life
of
God's
people
so
long
as
they're
filled
with
God's
truth
God
uses
them
to lift
the
hearts
of
his
people
I
know
you know
what
this is
like
too
I
remember
a
particularly
dark
season
in our
lives
which
would
really
pale
in
comparison
to
what
many
of you
have
experienced
but a
dark
season
for
Julie
and I
several
years
ago
coming
across
some
songs
by
Andrew
Peterson
who
doesn't
write
hymns
he's
just
a
Christian
who
writes
songs
about
life
and
through
the
lens
of
the
gospel
and
through
who
God
is
and
I
remember
listening
to
on a
drive
from
Laurel
to
Gastonia
where
we
were
living
at
the
time
we
had
like
an
hour
and
a
half
some
afternoons
and
just
listening
to
some
of
these
songs
time
I
get
back
home
in
Gastonia
my
soul
is
refreshed
I
heard
Alistair
Begg
say
many
times
that
on
his
darkest
days
he
gets
in
his
car
and
he
grabs
a
hymn
book
and
he
goes
and
he
finds
a
private
place
to
park
somewhere
and
he
just
begins
to
read
through
the
hymns
that
are
there
God
uses
song
to
lift
us
in
unique
ways
and
so
long
as
they
are
filled
with
the
truth
of
God
they
are
instruments
of
grace
in
our
lives
so
that
rather
than
immediately
deliver
us
from
our
distresses
God
will
often
use
instruments
of
prayer
and
song
to
carry
us
through
those
distresses
only
then
can
we
really
begin
to
know
the
depths
of
communion
with
God
as
David
so
intimately
knew
it
here
this
is
the
nature
of
fellowship
and
relationship
this
is
what
God
calls
us
to
and
it's
what
he
makes
available
through
Jesus
are
you
enduring
a
season
of
distress
here's
what
to
do
multiply
your
communion
with
God
pray
more
sing
more
don't
turn on
K-love
buy an
old
hymn
book
from
somebody
Mark's
got a
good
win
grab
an
old
hymn
book
sit
in
your
house
and
sing
oh
for
a
thousand
tongues
to
sing
my
great
redeemer
praise
the
glory
of
my
God
and
king
the
triumphs
of
his
grace
perhaps
one
like
this
one
a hymn
from
Newton
would
go
a long
way
for
you
how
sweet
the
name
of
Jesus
sounds
in
a
believer's
ear
it
soothes
our
sorrows
heals
our
wounds
and
drives
away
our
fear
it
makes
the
wounded
spirit
whole
and
calms
the
troubled
breast
tis
manna
to the
hungry
soul
and
to
the
weary
rest
oh
Jesus
shepherd
guardian
friend
my
prophet
priest
and
king
my
lord
my
life
my
way
my
end
accept
the
praise
I
bring