By Bunni Pounds

*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. (verses 1-3)

As I started studying Psalm 4 – I remembered some key verses in this passage that have provided an anchor to my soul throughout the years – such as verse 4, “Be angry and sin not...” I was excited to be studying this Psalm, so I began writing down phrases that stuck out to me, sentences I wanted to study more in-depth, and promises I wanted to meditate on. This is my normal process when I begin preparing a message, studying a subject, or processing a passage of scripture – to begin to digest the material and to find nuggets that I want to cling to. 

I wrote down in my journal “You have relieved my distress,” and then realized that I had written it down incorrectly. The correct phrase in verse 1 is “You have relieved ME IN my distress.” – not relieved my distress. I knew in that simple mistake that God was speaking to me what I needed to hear this week – He many times will not take away our distress (though He is more than able to do it), but more importantly, He will be WITH US in the middle of the distress and relieve us internally of the stress of it. 

That little thought has been revelation to me as I have been processing and working through my own hurts, disappointments, and concerns related to our nation, our new national leadership, and how I personally can help pastor the greater Body of Christ during this new season. 

Knowing that God will relieve ME in my distress – I skipped to verse 3 – to the thought that the Lord has SET ME APART FOR HIMSELF. He says He “has set apart for Himself him who is godly.”

As children of God – we are set apart from the ungodly culture, sinful patterns, and the world systems and placed in the kingdom of God of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). It is not just a setting apart for our sake – though it deeply benefits our lives – but we are set apart for Him – Father God. He gets pleasure in our lives, and He wants us to be with Him.

One of my favorite scriptures is John 17:24 – “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

As Jesus is praying His last recorded prayer before He goes to the cross – we are given understanding into His desires and the cries of His heart.  In that prayer, His primary desire is for us to be with Him where He is – beholding His glory. When I stop and mediate on that idea – my life makes sense. Whether I am having a good week or a bad week, whether I am feeling distress or not in my soul – Jesus desires to be with me. He has set me apart for Himself. 

As an overachiever, type-A personality, this revelation has helped to set my life in order. I am no longer focused alone on what I am accomplishing or doing – but I let myself be with Him – spending time with Him and resting from my own works. This is the place of rest that David is trying to get us to understand in this Psalm. We need to understand the power of our weak cries – knowing that He always hears us – always. 

“Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Selah
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the Lord.” (verses 4-5)

When we see or experience injustices in our world – if we don’t feel anger, there is something wrong with us. If we carry the nature of God – when we see orphans being abused, children being trafficked for sex, unethical behavior and lawlessness, we should feel “anger”, but what we do with this anger that really matters.

Here in Psalm 4 – the Psalmist says – “be angry and do not sin” - meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. The worst thing we can do many times is sound off, scream, and show our anger to the world. 

One of the reasons that social media has made our world so toxic is that we have the ability to post every thought we have on the internet - instantly. We oftentimes don’t stop and meditate before we throw these thoughts out for the world to see. Because of those instant reactions – we many times come away regretting things we have said. In the middle of this reactionary world – anger begets anger and pain begets pain, instead of taking the posture of trusting in the Lord. 

This is the difference between righteous anger versus the sin of anger. Are we feeling hopeless or are we trusting in the Lord? Do we let the “anger” move us to action to change something or do we just hate and become bitter?

“There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (verses 6-8)

It is easy to become beat down by the world and wonder if there is anyone “good” out there. Our hearts ask – will we ever see anyone who really cares for the American people or it is all about soundbites and political fights? 

But even in the midst of darkness, hardship, and pain – the Lord can lift us up and put “gladness” in our hearts even MORE “than in the season” of great prosperity. What a great promise! 

We can be living in a very troubled time; but yet in the middle of lack and hard times – we could have more GLADNESS in our hearts because of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace to settle our souls and provide supernatural joy. 

In American culture – many are not accustomed to intense hardships, tension, and seasons of lack. In 2020 and the beginning of 2021, we have been confronted with our fears, loss, and widespread contempt for one another. Many are having to believe God for breakthrough in our families, our jobs, and our institutions. 

We have seen our own weaknesses, unrighteous anger, and unbelief. How will we respond? Will we let God relieve us IN our distress?

Let’s end this study with the powerful passage from the book of Romans as we reflect that faith always triumphs over trouble. God always has a plan!

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

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