Psalms 4:6-7 - Homiletics

The supreme quest of life.

"There be many," etc. Both the Church and the world were very different in David's day from what they were in our Lord's day; and in that from what they are to-day. But the contrast was as real, the opposition as strong. The cleavage between the party of God's will and the party of self-will went right through the heart of human life then, and does now. Consciously or not, we all rank on one side or the other. These words bring out the contrast very strongly as regards the supreme aim and quest of life.

I. THE WORLDLING 'S MISTAKE . David looked out on the rush and bustle of life, and listened to the voices of the crowd. One cry came from all sides, "Who will show us any good?" Where can we find happiness? On all sides there is the same illusion and blunder—the notion that happiness means something outside us instead of within. It is the same to-day. Happiness, people think, can be purchased with gold, packed in bales and boxes, poured out of bottles, caught in crowds, assured by parchments duly signed. Everywhere are the broken empty cisterns, crying out against the folly of those who hewed them out; yet everywhere is the same din of hammer and chisel hewing out new ones, the same neglect of" the Fountain of living waters."

II. THE BELIEVER 'S CHOICE . "Lift thou," etc. From the world, the psalmist turns to God. "Light" sometimes means knowledge ( John 17:3 ; 2 Corinthians 4:6 ); but here rather the favour and manifested love of God. Smiles are the sunshine of the face, lighting up the inmost chambers of the heart (comp. Numbers 6:25 ; Proverbs 16:15 ).

III. THE SAINTS ' EXPERIENCE . ( Psalms 4:7 .) The psalmist's prayer ( Psalms 4:6 ) was not for a new blessing —not a sudden aspiration. It was the outcome of experience. He contrasts the golden harvests and "rivers of oil" of him who has "much goods laid up for many years," but "is not rich toward God," with his own portion— joy in the heart ; and feels that this is "the true riches." If he has not what the world calls "happiness,'' he has something infinitely richer— blessedness. The worldling's quest is like chasing a will-o'-the-wisp; the Christian's, like steering by the north star. If we hare received God's greatest gifts, we may well trust him for the rest ( Romans 8:32 ).