Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 1: Psalms 1–17

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Psalm 4 with John Calvin – Hoping in God’s Promises After David in the beginning of the psalm has prayed to God to help him, he immediately turns his discussion to his enemies, and relying on the promise of God, triumphs over them as a conqueror. Therefore, he teaches us by his

example that as often as we are weighed down by adversity or involved in very great distress, we should meditate upon the promises of God. By these the hope of salvation is offered to us, so that defending ourselves by this shield, we may break through all the temptations

John Calvin on Psalm 4 “David testifies that although he may lack all other good things, the fatherly love of God is sufficient to compensate for the loss of them all.”

which attack us. By his praying, David testified that when utterly deprived of all earthly aid, hope remained for him in God. Content with God’s favor alone, David protests that he sets no value on objects that others fervently desire. The faithful, forming a low estimate of present good things, rest in God alone. Therefore, David suggests that all those who wish to enjoy prosperity but do not seek God’s favor are fools. By neglecting to do this, they are carried about by the various false opinions which circulate. He also rebukes another vice, namely, that of ignorant people who give themselves wholly to the ease and comforts of the flesh and content themselves with the enjoyment of these alone, without thinking of anything higher. So also it comes to pass that as long as they are supplied with whatever they desire, they are indifferent toward God as if they had no need of him. David testifies that although he may lack all other good things, the fatherly love of God is sufficient to compensate for the loss of them all. This, therefore, is the point: Most people