1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
This psalm has a dramatic and emphatic point. God desires us to call out to Him in dependence. David knows God responds to His people (v. 2) but that does not change the urgent plea of the persecuted. Nor does it stop the hurling of challenges at the sinful in the world.
That God has “set apart” a people of deliverance (Exo 8:22; 9:4; 11;7) for Himself is no different than the church today. For Him are they called and He listens to them (Exo 2:23-25; 3:7). In this state of persecution awaiting final deliverance, David reminds the true Israel that anger need not become sin (Eph 4:26). Instead on is to reflect on their own heart and mind while making restitution with God for their sins (v. 5). When this is done jealousy does not reign and self-righteousness does not prevail.
The final conclusion is not only the Lord’s deliverance. First it is a stern focus on the provision of the Lord (v. 7). The one faithful to the Lord is satisfied despite the abundance of the wicked. Only then is it peace and safety (v. 8).
