Answer me when I call, O God . . .1 This declaration was an opening verse in a Psalm of David. Sense the boldness! No faint mortal can speak to an Omnipotent God like David did. Samuel the prophet rebuked Saul saying, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. . . .”2 The very heart of David—his core belief is found in another Psalm, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.3
Bearing that context in mind, let us glean further from the rest of Psalm 4, as follows:
1. Confidence. David’s bold demand was not entitlement; rather, confidence. It was anchored on truth. David knew that God was faithful and constant. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.4 As a shepherd boy he had killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands.5 He slayed Goliath with a stone and a sling, beheading him with Goliath’s own sword.6 Numerous times he experienced God’s favor. Thus, when in dire need with confidence, he could say, Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! . . . Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.7
2. Comfort. You have given me relief when I was in distress. O, men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?8 Isn’t it comforting that we can have a conversation with God—the Creator of heaven and earth? God himself admonishes, whose voice are you listening to? Why do you persist believing lies? But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.9
3. Call. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.10
David knew his God; he had nurtured the relationship. Such that even his son Solomon wrote God’s words, I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.11 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12
Rather than submit to the LORD the Jews wanted their way. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul . . . And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do my will.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.13
Notes:
1. Psalm 4:1
2. 1 Samuel 13:13-14
3. Psalm 23:1
4. Hebrews 13:8
5. 1 Samuel 17:34-36
6. 1 Samuel 17:45-51
7. Psalm 4:1
8. Psalm 4:1b-2
9. John 4:23-24
10. Psalm 4:3
11. Proverbs 8:17
12. John 10:7-11
13. Acts 13:21-23
