Psalms 4:4,5 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

‘Stand in awe and do not sin,

Commune with your own heart on your bed and be still, Selah

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And put your trust in YHWH.'

In view of whom they are dealing with they should pause and stand in awe. They are touching YHWH's anointed. Let them therefore fear before God and beware of incurring His anger, for such fear will prevent them from sin. Let them wait for the quietness of their beds, away from the incitement of others who are just as foolish, then let them talk to themselves sensibly and thus they will cease from what they are doing. They will cease to sin.

Then they can be true to YHWH and offer true sacrifices, sacrifices which are offered from a true heart (Deuteronomy 33:19; Psalms 51:19; Isaiah 1:11 with Isaiah 1:16-18). Thus can they put their trust in YHWH. For to offer sacrifices truly was to come to God in trust and love, depending on His promises of mercy. This once again strongly reminds us that sacrifices alone were insufficient to turn away God's wrath. They had to be offered from a true heart and with the intention in the future of living a righteous life (1 Samuel 15:22). And must be accompanied by trust in YHWH Himself.

Psalms 4:4-5

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.