A Trembling Spirit
“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4.3, 4
“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4.3, 4
David is known as the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. (II Samuel 23.1) It seems by the abundance of poems and songs he wrote that he often turned to music when in distress. Psalm 4 seems to be indicating one of the more emotionally intense periods in his life.
This psalm was to be sent to the Chief Musician upon Neginoth (stringed instruments with a haunting, taunting sound; See Job 30.9; Psalm 69.12; and Lamentations 3.14 where it translates “song.”) Twice in this psalm, David employs the use of the term “Selah” – a term that is not clearly understood but seems to suggest a pause in the music in order to contemplate the truth of what has been presented. Selah also indicates a change in tempo or musical key.
If nothing else is certain, we can understand that at least David needed some quiet time to think. The taunting message of his heart and mind is to “Stand in awe” (“awe” indicates a quivering and shaking in fear and distress). While it is an imperative, it seems to come from someone in an attempt to destroy his faith. Spiritual reason, on the other hand, says, “Sin not.” In other words, the psalm exhorts the one who is nearly at the edge of a spiritual cliff not to weaken but to stand (Ephesians 6.13) – even though shaking we are to stop and think spiritually remembering that God is still in control.
Many things have been suggested concerning people who talk to themselves. I like what one of my professors said about it. He said that a person who talks to himself is assured of an attentive listener and the person listening is assured of an intelligent conversationalist. The word “commune” in Psalm 4.4 is a verb that suggests just that – when in this type of distress, we should slow down and reason within ourselves – pausing often to understand how God is using our circumstances and situations to include us in His plan.
When distressed or confused, we can safely lay our head down at night, in the calm quietness of our Father’s protection and “be still. Selah.” Slow down and think about God’s providential involvement in our lives. Our God is still on the throne.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 40.10
This psalm was to be sent to the Chief Musician upon Neginoth (stringed instruments with a haunting, taunting sound; See Job 30.9; Psalm 69.12; and Lamentations 3.14 where it translates “song.”) Twice in this psalm, David employs the use of the term “Selah” – a term that is not clearly understood but seems to suggest a pause in the music in order to contemplate the truth of what has been presented. Selah also indicates a change in tempo or musical key.
If nothing else is certain, we can understand that at least David needed some quiet time to think. The taunting message of his heart and mind is to “Stand in awe” (“awe” indicates a quivering and shaking in fear and distress). While it is an imperative, it seems to come from someone in an attempt to destroy his faith. Spiritual reason, on the other hand, says, “Sin not.” In other words, the psalm exhorts the one who is nearly at the edge of a spiritual cliff not to weaken but to stand (Ephesians 6.13) – even though shaking we are to stop and think spiritually remembering that God is still in control.
Many things have been suggested concerning people who talk to themselves. I like what one of my professors said about it. He said that a person who talks to himself is assured of an attentive listener and the person listening is assured of an intelligent conversationalist. The word “commune” in Psalm 4.4 is a verb that suggests just that – when in this type of distress, we should slow down and reason within ourselves – pausing often to understand how God is using our circumstances and situations to include us in His plan.
When distressed or confused, we can safely lay our head down at night, in the calm quietness of our Father’s protection and “be still. Selah.” Slow down and think about God’s providential involvement in our lives. Our God is still on the throne.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 40.10
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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