Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 4

David was a preacher, a royal preacher, as well as Solomon; many of his psalms are doctrinal and practical as well as devotional; the greatest part of this psalm is so, in which Wisdom cries to men, to the sons of men (as Proverbs 8:4, 8:5), to receive instruction. The title does not tell us, as that of the former did, that it was penned on any particular occasion, nor are we to think that all the psalms were occasional, though some were, but that many of them were designed in general for the instruction of the people of God, who attended in the courts of his house, the assisting of their devotions, and the directing of their conversations: such a one I take this psalm to be. Let us not make the prophecy of scripture to be of more private interpretation than needs must, 2 Peter 1:20. Here I. David begins with a short prayer (Psalms 4:1) and that prayer preaches. II. He directs his speech to the children of men, and, 1. In God’s name reproves them for the dishonour they do to God and the damage they do to their own souls, Psalms 4:2. 2. He sets before them the happiness of godly people for their encouragement to be religious, Psalms 4:3. 3. He calls upon them to consider their ways, Psalms 4:4. III. He exhorts them to serve God and trust in him, Psalms 4:5. IV. He gives an account of his own experiences of the grace of God working in him, 1. Enabling him to choose God’s favour for his felicity, Psalms 4:6. 2. Filling his heart with joy therein, Psalms 4:7. 3. Quieting his spirit in the assurance of the divine protection he was under, night and day, Psalms 4:8. MHBCC 483.1