Ps 4 - SP summary

🧠 Pre-Summary Questions for Psalm 4

1. Who is the speaker?

• A. David seeking relief (Rating: 3/10)
• B. Christ speaking prophetically through David (Rating: 10/10 – confirmed in NT use of David’s psalms)

2. What is the “distress”?

• A. Life pressure (Rating: 2/10)
• B. The cross, where Christ is pressed and crushed (Rating: 10/10 – Isa 53:5, Luke 22:44)

3. Who are the “sons of men” and what is their shame?

• A. Enemies of David (Rating: 2/10)
• **B. The bride in rebellion, loving vanity and lies instead of truth (Rating: 10/10)

4. What does it mean to “lie down in peace”?

• A. A quiet conscience (Rating: 4/10)
• B. Christ laying down in death, trusting the Father (Rating: 10/10 – John 10:17–18)

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✨ SP Summary of Psalm 4 – With NT Fulfillment

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Verse 1

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You gave me relief when I was in distress..."

• Christ calls out in the pressing of Gethsemane and the crushing of the cross.
• “God of my righteousness” = the One who will vindicate Me, not man.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • Luke 22:44 – “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly…”
  • Hebrews 5:7 – “He was heard because of His reverence.”

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Verse 2

"O sons of man, how long shall My honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?"

• Christ speaks to the bride in rebellion—those who mock the truth.
• “My honor turned to shame” = the crucifixion, where He is mocked and dishonored.
• “Vain words” = false teaching, worldly power, empty religion.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • Matthew 27:29–31 – “They mocked Him… struck Him… led Him away to crucify Him.”
  • John 8:45 – “Because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.”

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Verse 3

"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him."

• The resurrected Son is now set apart, sanctified, heard.
• The bride also is set apart in Him, no longer part of the rebellious crowd.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • John 10:36 – “The one whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world…”
  • Romans 8:34 – “Christ Jesus… is interceding for us.”

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Verse 4

"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent."

• This is an invitation to the bride: awaken to what you’ve done.
• Be angry (quake with fear, tremble), repent, and be silent before the cross.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • Acts 2:37 – “They were cut to the heart and said, ‘What shall we do?’”
  • Romans 3:19 – “Every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world held accountable to God.”

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Verse 5

"Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD."

• No longer vain offerings, but the true sacrifice—Christ.
• The bride responds in faith, trusting in the Lord's sacrifice.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • Hebrews 10:12–14 – “By a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
  • Romans 12:1 – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice…”

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Verse 6

"There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good?’ Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD!"

• The world doubts, but Christ shines as the Light of God’s face.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • John 1:9 – “The true Light, which gives light to everyone…”
  • 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

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Verse 7

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

• Joy in the resurrected presence of the Father exceeds all earthly joy.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • John 15:11 – “That My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
  • Hebrews 12:2 – “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…”

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Verse 8

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."

• Christ lays down His life in peace, trusting the Father.
• He sleeps in death, but His rest is secure—He will rise.
• NT Fulfillment:
  • John 10:17–18 – “I lay down My life… I take it up again.”
  • Acts 2:26 – “My flesh also will dwell in hope.”

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✝️ Gospel Retelling of Psalm 4

Christ, in His agony, called upon the Father, knowing He alone would answer. Though the people mocked and sought lies, He was set apart. He laid down in death, in perfect peace, trusting the One who would raise Him. To the rebellious bride, He calls gently: tremble, repent, be silent, and receive the true sacrifice. The light of His face now shines on all who trust Him. They receive joy that grain and wine cannot give—the joy of knowing Him.

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📖 NT Fulfillment Table

Psalm 4 Verse	New Testament Fulfillment
v1	Luke 22:44, Heb 5:7
v2	Matt 27:29–31, John 8:45
v3	John 10:36, Rom 8:34
v4	Acts 2:37, Rom 3:19
v5	Heb 10:12–14, Rom 12:1
v6	John 1:9, 2 Cor 4:6
v7	John 15:11, Heb 12:2
v8	John 10:17–18, Acts 2:26

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Sensus plenior