Psalm 4

In vs 1 of this Psalm, David addresses God as the God of his righteousness or the God who vindicates him. It is because of the knowledge of this character trait of God that David asks God to show him mercy and hear his prayer.

He states that when men falsely accuse us and seek to lie against us, we need to realise that God shows special favour to the godly and responds when they cry out to him, vs 2,3. However, if we are truly godly, we will make sure that we repent of the anger that arises in our hearts towards such people, and refuse to take our own revenge, vs 4. It is in such situations that we need to first set our way and heart’s attitude right and then offer unto God the sacrifice of praise, vs 5, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name, Hebrews 13:15,16, just like Paul and Silas did in the Macedonian prison, Acts: 16:25.

Instead of addressing the taunts of men, and fighting with them to prove ourselves right, we only need to make sure that God’s favour continually remains upon our lives, by walking in heartfelt repentance for the wrong reaction we see coming out of us, vs 6.

The outcome of such a lifestyle will enable us to be more joyful than those who have an abundance of good food, vs 7! For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but peace, joy and righteousness in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17. And even before the Lord vindicates us, we will be able to lie down and sleep peacefully, right in the midst of the trial, for we know that our righteous God is our shield and our safety, vs 8, and will eventually give us justice beyond any shadow of doubt. Thus, we can rejoice in the Lord always, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Amen.

Psalm 10

This is such a beautiful Psalm that expresses what each one of us has experienced at some point in our lives.

There are times our feelings tell us that God is not hearing our cries because we see no immediate answers to our prayers, vs1. On the contrary, the wicked who chase and trap the oppressed vs 2, boasts that he gets all that he desires inspite of robbing others and cursing and rejecting the Lord vs 3.

He is so full of arrogance, that he is cock sure that God doesn’t take notice of what he is doing and that God won’t hold him accountable, vs 4,5,11,13. He feels very secure inspite of disregarding God’s commandments and looking down on his enemies, and is sure of experiencing no calamity, vs 6. He uses his tongue to injure and destroy with curses and harmful words, vs 7, he waits in hiding to kill the innocent and unfortunate victim and trap them in his net, vs 8-10. God forbid, that we should be like him and incase we see such characteristics in us let us repent before it is too late!*

How should the oppressed respond when persecuted in this manner? The Psalmist responds by calling on the Name of the Lord and asking God to intervene and bring about deliverance and justice, vs12. He then confidently expresses that God has taken notice of the wicked man’s deeds and will eventually deliver the fatherless, vs 14,18. He tells God to break the arm of the wicked and hold him accountable for his evil deeds, vs 15.

After pouring out his heart to God in this manner, he rests assured that God has heard his cry and will assuredly bring justice in due season, 16,17. What a beautiful way to handle all such heart-rending and perplexing matters!

So, instead of taking the law in our own hands, we must learn to surrender our case to God, who judges righteously, 1Peter 2:23, just like Jesus did! And, as we faithfully die to ourselves, entrusting our case unto the Lord, instead of fretting over evildoers, Psalm 37, and continue to overcome evil with good, then surely in due season we will reap, provided we do not grow weary, Galatians 6: 8-10, and assuredly we will experience the resurrection life of Christ, both, in our lives first, and then in our situation as well!

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.