Heading. ‘For the chief musician, on stringed instruments. A psalm of David.'
This psalm is one of a number dedicated to the Choirmaster, or chief musician. What this actually signified we do not know. Possibly the choirmaster originally had his own collection of psalms and hymns. This one was intended for public use. It was for playing on stringed instruments and was a psalm of David.
It is generally recognised that there is a close affinity between this and the previous psalm. Compare for example the ‘many there be that say' (Psalms 4:5) with Psalms 3:2, a phrase unique to these two psalms. It was probably written a little later than Psalms 3 when things were more settled and the fight back was beginning.
It is divided up by ‘selah', that is pauses in the music, although others have seen the divisions differently. However, it is all a matter of opinion for in the end the psalm is one whole.
We may divide it as follows:
· David's cry to God to be heard (Psalms 4:1).
· The plea to his rebellious people to consider what they are doing (Psalms 4:2).
· The declaration of his own status before God (Psalms 4:3).
· The command for them to consider their ways (Psalms 4:4).
· His plea for them to repent and come into the right way (Psalms 4:5).
· His confidence that they will do so (Psalms 4:6).
· His great rejoicing at his restoration (Psalms 4:7).
· David's final confidence (Psalms 4:8).