In Psalm 4, David writes at a time when he is under attack from his enemies. It is possible that this Psalm should be placed in the same context as Psalm 3- the time when David is fleeing from a rebellion started by his own son Absalom. While we can't be sure that the contexts of both psalms are the same, there is no doubt that David is having trouble with enemies in Psalm 4. In verse 1, David prays to God for relief from his distress. In verse 2, David makes it clear that his distress is coming from the actions of others. Clearly David is under siege. Unjustly, he is being accused and pursued by his enemies when he has done no wrong.
Many of us have found ourselves where David is. There are times when unjustly we have been attacked by others. Perhaps our children have not led a rebellion against us, but we have been subject to the unjust accusations of others. Family members have ostracized us when we have done no wrong. Co-workers have slandered us to further their career. Neighbors have made life difficult for the simple act of being their neighbor. Others in church have judged us by a legalistic standard or for something that we did not do. Very few of us go through life without some sort of conflict with others.
How do we respond in those times? I think David models a response in the words of verses 4-5. He gives us four ways to respond to conflict with another person when we are not at fault. I wouldn't say this list is comprehensive, but it is suggestive of where a total response begins:
1. We do not let anger get the best of us. ("In your anger, do not sin")- Conflict with others can make us angry. Sometimes that anger can be just. Many times, though, it flows out of selfishness not righteousness. We need to be careful that our anger does not lead to retaliation or other sins that would make us share in the guilt of our unjust accuser.
2. We need to see if we do have some fault in the conflict. ("When you are on your beds, search your hearts")- Conflict with others is a time for self inventory. Even if we think we have been wronged, we need to see if some of the fault lies with us. In a quiet place, with time for reflection, we need to see if we need to ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.
3. We need to shut our mouths. ("Be silent.") When we are angry in the midst of conflict, there is the danger of saying things that we don't mean and that we wouldn't say other under circumstances. Better to shut our mouths. Since this admonition to "be silent" comes in the context of the bed, it may also be that God is urging us not to pray too quickly about this matter. In other words, prayer for God's intervention might want to wait until we see if we share some of the blame too. Perhaps our prayers might lead to God intervening against us if we have sinned!
4. We need to recognize our faults even if they didn't come to play in this conflict. ("Offer right sacrifices.")- There is a tendency when we are wronged to become self righteous. In the Old Testament, the offering of sacrifices often entailed an admission of sin. While we may be innocent in the conflict, we should never think that we are innocent overall. God has had mercy on our sin; we should be quick to extend mercy to others even when that is painful or sacrificial. We should keep doing good even if others aren't affording us the same treatment.
5. We should trust in the Lord ("And trust in the Lord")- In conflict, we often want to take matters into our own hands. We want to make things right in our timing and in our strength. David says better to trust in the Lord. Wait on Him to settle the matter when He sees fit.
Verses 6-8 remind us that even in conflict the Lord is our joy and our peace. If our relationship with others in broken, we can always find solace in our relationship with Him.
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