Verses 1-8
Many students of the psalms have recognized that Psalms 4 is very closely akin to Psalms 3 in both subject matter and structure. It is an individual lament with motifs characteristic of psalms of confidence. Bullock saw this type of psalm as a distinct genre (including Psalms 4, 16, 23, 27, 62, , 73) and called these psalms individual psalms of trust.
"Unlike the psalms of thanksgiving, which state the crisis and also add a word of assurance that the crisis has passed, this group of psalms makes their declaration of trust in the Lord, but do not always clarify the occasion that provoked the statement of confidence." [Note: Bullock, p. 166.]
"Somewhere in the shadows of the psalms of trust trouble is lurking." [Note: Ibid.]
David may have written this psalm on the same occasion as the previous one or near then. It is an evening hymn (Psalms 4:8). Perhaps it occurs after Psalms 3 in the Psalter because of these similarities.
Many of the psalms begin with instructions concerning how the Israelites were to use the psalm in public worship, as this one does. As mentioned previously, these notations are very old. They usually constitute the first verse of the psalm in the Hebrew Bible. This authority suggests their divine inspiration.
In this psalm, David warned his enemies not to sin against God by opposing His anointed king.
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