“O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD” (Psa 4:2-5).
Psalm 4 clearly parallels Psalm 2 in key ways. Both psalms refer to the futility (rik) of rebelling against God’s anointed king (Psa 2:1; 4:2). Both plead with those in rebellion (Psa 2:1-3; 4:2) to align themselves with God’s purposes by receiving His anointed (Psa 2:10-12; 4:4-5). In Psalm 2:1, the nations “roar” (ragshu) against God’s king, and in Psalm 4:4, they “rage” (ragzu) against him.
Two truths from these psalms stand out and remain relevant today. First, God is not only gracious to Israel’s king (see Psa 4:1); he is also gracious to those who receive him. Although God has every right to destroy those who rebel against him and against his messiah, both psalms extend a hand of peace to those willing to come to their senses. “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth” (Psa 2:10). “O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah” (Psa 4:2).
Although God has every right to destroy those who rebel against him and against his messiah, both psalms extend a hand of peace to those willing to come to their senses.
Second, both psalms show that the fate of Israel and the nations is bound up with their response to the LORD’s anointed. In Psalm 2, reconciliation with God comes by serving the LORD and “kissing” God’s Son (Psa 2:11-12). In Psalm 4, restoration involves recognizing the uniqueness of the “godly” king (Psa 4:3) and trusting in the LORD (Psa 4:5).
As much as Israel’s religious traditions have sought to downplay the centrality of Israel’s Messiah in our relationship with God, these two truths in the Psalms bear witness that religion acceptable to God must include faith in Israel’s Messiah.
