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Psa 4:2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
It is always interesting to me when a passage is divided correctly how that passage takes on new meaning. I would normally have read this verse as a condemning voice from heaven raining down judgement upon the inhabitants of this earth. However, upon further study, it is quite evident that David is speaking in verse one and in verse three and there seems to be in verse three a continuing thought. The thought he is continuing issues forth from verse two. Having realized this, I have found David's words to contain much in the way of encouragement for the believer.
If you will remember prior to this point David was pleading with God to be heard, invoking God's listening ear by "pleading past mercies as a ground for present favor." Yet in this passage, his tone has changed dramatically. He has become a bold voice against the injustices of his enemies. But what injustice has been done?
David points out that his honor has been put to shame by these men. Much in the same way Christ's honor was put to shame by his doubting disciples. And in response to their doubt Jesus said, “O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?"
How often do we hear the sentiment found in the words of Job's wife who said, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.”? That is to say, if your God is so great and your faith is such to move mountains, then why do you suffer so? Why is your life filled with such distress? In this way, David's enemies taunted him, in the same way the world taunts us. By seeing our suffering as a signal of a foolish trust in a nonexistent God, the world attempts to make what God allowed for His glory and our sanctification seem shameful and pitiful.
David was experiencing exile, loneliness, and depression; all signals, to successful men, of failure and shame. Yet David realized what we too must realize: it is an honor to suffer for the sake of Christ's name. In fact Paul wrote, "we suffer with (Jesus) so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us."
In contrast to this view point, the world, rather than seeking the glory of Christ through sharing in his suffering, seeks the glorification of self through vain pursuits and dishonest actions. The idea is simple, whatever it takes to remain happy I can and must do. In fact, the less I suffer the more successful I'll seem and the more glory I'll receive. However, the pursuit of happiness can often be equated with fleeing from God and an avoidance of reality.
The chosen one of God, however, can and must find encouragement in this: The pursuit of holiness and the love of God is not vanity and foolishness. Despite how awful this life might seem, regardless of how useless devotion to the holy things of God may appear, it can never be said of the child of God that his commitment to Christ is a vanity.
The book of wisdom begins by stating "Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Eccl 1:2) And yet it ends with this disclaimer: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone." (Eccl 12:13) Dear believer, do not despair when the wicked of this world accuse you of living a vain life, trusting in a God who allows these horrible things to happen. Instead, respond as King David by pleading past mercies as a ground for present favor, thus drawing strength from God's faithfulness and compassion. Then you will know that all is vanity only for those who "love vain words and seek after lies." May the peace of God be with you.
Continuing David's quest for Peace
Mark Peterson's Writings on the Psalms
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