Tuesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 4:3-4
3 You can be sure of this:
The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.
3 You can be sure of this:
The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
4:3 set apart. The same Hebrew word is rendered “set apart” in Ex. 8:22, and “make a distinction” in Ex. 9:4; 11:7; 33:16; the idea is that God sets his special attention and affection on a person or a people in order to distinguish them. the godly. The Hebrew word (hasid) is the adjective form of “steadfast love” (Hb. hesed). This term, variously rendered “godly,” “saint,” “faithful one,” and “holy one” in the Psalms, refers to those who have genuinely laid hold of God’s steadfast love; here it is singular, to stress that each faithful member of the people may have this confidence.
4:4–5 Words to the Godly. The singer tells the godly not to give in to the anger that would lead them to take revenge; instead they must remain steadfast in their worship and trust.
4:4 Be angry, and do not sin. This should perhaps be taken as a conditional sentence: “If you feel anger at those who slander you (which you may well do), nevertheless do not sin by seeking revenge against them.” The way to prevent sin is to ponder and be silent: that is, reflect on how the Lord has shown himself trustworthy. This does not discourage the faithful from using legal recourse when necessary; instead it speaks against personal revenge that circumvents the law and consumes the lives of the vengeful. Cf. Eph. 4:26.
4:4–5 Words to the Godly. The singer tells the godly not to give in to the anger that would lead them to take revenge; instead they must remain steadfast in their worship and trust.
4:4 Be angry, and do not sin. This should perhaps be taken as a conditional sentence: “If you feel anger at those who slander you (which you may well do), nevertheless do not sin by seeking revenge against them.” The way to prevent sin is to ponder and be silent: that is, reflect on how the Lord has shown himself trustworthy. This does not discourage the faithful from using legal recourse when necessary; instead it speaks against personal revenge that circumvents the law and consumes the lives of the vengeful. Cf. Eph. 4:26.
Study Questions:
- David, in his scolding of these influencers, tells them, "You can be sure of this..." The Hebrew word used here means "to know", although it's more than just a head-knowledge. Brandon used the example of how well he knows his wife NOW, after 23 years of marriage, compared to when they were dating. David is pointing the people to an experiential knowledge that they SHOULD have based on what they've heard and experienced with God. He is basically saying, "You should know better!" They had read the stories of Moses, Pharaoh and the Israelites. They know what happens when people turn their backs on the One True God. And yet, here they are, running in the wrong direction. When it comes to YOUR relationship with God, are you mostly an intellectual head-knowledge? Or do you know God intimately because you speak with him and are in his presence and Word every day? Maybe somewhere in between? Can you truly say you have a rich, vibrant and intimate relationship with God?
- David tells these people, who are leading others away from the One True God and towards false gods of fertility, to lie in their beds and tremble before the Lord. And in verse 3 he is highlighting the difference between himself and them. HE is set apart and "godly". He's telling them that his relationship with God is different than theirs and God will deal with them differently. And the Hebrew word for "godly" speaks of the obligation to loyalty and faithfulness that this group of people has obviously abandoned with God. They've turned their backs on him and have, instead, done their own thing. Is there an area of your life where you have done your own thing or come up with your own solution rather than remaining loyal to God? Through your actions and decisions, have you remained faithful to him?
Pray:
- That you would desire a rich, vibrant and intimate relationship with God.
- That you would be loyal and faithful to God.
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