Psalms 4 - Introduction

The occasion of this Psalm has already been discussed in the introduction to Psalms 3. Some days at least have elapsed. The immediate personal peril is past. Reflection has deepened David's consciousness of his own integrity, and his sense of the rebels" guilt. The Psalm breathes a spirit of righteous indignation, which rises completely above mere personal vindictiveness.

Its structure, if the indications afforded by the Selahat the end of Psalms 4:2 and Psalms 4:4 are to be followed, is similar to that of its companion Psalm.

i. Appeal to God, and remonstrance with the rebels, Psalms 4:1.

ii. The true character of the rebellion exposed, Psalms 4:3.

iii. The better way indicated, Psalms 4:5.

iv. The supreme joy of perfect trust, Psalms 4:7.

Most commentators however divide the Psalm thus: i. Appeal to God, Psalms 4:1; ii. Remonstrance with enemies, Psalms 4:2; iii. The superiority of God-given joy to all earthly grounds of rejoicing, Psalms 4:6. This division however neglects the Selah, which serves to emphasise the important thought of Psalms 4:3, and after Psalms 4:4 prepares the way for repentance following on reflection: it ignores the parallelism of structure with Psalms 3, and though at first sight attractive, fails to bring out the true connexion and sequence of the thoughts.

The title should be rendered as in R.V., For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. See Introd. pp. xxi f., xxiv.