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Articles
Answer Me When I Call (Psalm 4)
ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL
“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!” (Psalm 4:1).
The circumstances of life can be distressing. They challenge our faith. They upset our peace.
Psalm 4 is about such a time in David’s life. David calls on his God. He knows God will hear and care for him, as he has always done.
Much of David’s discouragement seems to come from other people. Some not only doubt him, but speak against him. He may appeal to them to think better of their words, but he knows that in the end it is the Lord who answers his prayers. This confidence is the reason David will look humbly to the Lord and to him alone to vindicate him, and he urges others to put their trust in him as well (vv. 2-5).
Others lack David’s confidence because they do not know his God. “Who will show us any good?” But the man after God’s own heart can testify from experience that the Lord puts more joy in his heart than those who enjoy material prosperity (vv. 6-7).
This is contentment. Perfect peace. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (v. 8).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Dan Petty
