There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psalm 4:6 contrasts the restless words of many with the faithful prayer of David. Earlier he had commanded troubled men to stand in awe, sin not, commune with their own heart upon their bed, and be still (v.4). Later he will lie down in peace and sleep, because the LORD only makes him dwell in safety (v.8). Between those two points stands this verse. Many are asking, “Who will shew us any good?” David asks for something far better: “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
“There be many.” David observes the multitude. The way of anxious, earthly, sight-bound desire is not rare. Many speak this way. Many judge life by visible improvement, outward relief, present comfort, human help, and earthly increase. The crowd often asks the wrong question, and the saint must not take his theology from the crowd. Truth is not measured by how many say a thing.
“That say.” Here again words reveal the heart. The many are known by what they say. Their question comes out of their mouths because it has first ruled their thoughts. They speak from unrest, disappointment, fear, or desire for visible advantage. Earlier David had commanded men to be still (v.4); here many are speaking out of dissatisfaction. The tongue often exposes whether the soul is governed by faith or by want.
“Who will shew us any good?” This is the question of men looking around for relief. It is not necessarily a request for evil things, for men need food, peace, protection, help, and earthly mercy. But the question is dangerous when it is separated from God. The many ask, “Who?” as though help must be found in men, circumstances, opportunity, wealth, power, or some visible change. They want good shown to them, but David knows that no good is truly good apart from the LORD.
This question is still common. Men say, Who will improve our condition? Who will fix this trouble? Who will give us gain? Who will comfort us? Who will secure tomorrow? Who will make life easier? Such questions can consume the heart. They fill the mouth with complaint, anxiety, comparison, and unbelief. But David teaches the righteous to ask higher things. The deepest need is not first better circumstances, but the favour of God.
The word “good” must be judged by Scripture. The world calls many things good that are empty, dangerous, or passing. Corn and wine will be mentioned in the next verse, and they are good gifts in their place (v.7). But David has greater gladness than men have when corn and wine increase (v.7). Earthly increase is not enough. A man may receive outward good and remain without peace; David may lack outward increase and still rest safely in the LORD.
“LORD.” David turns from the many to Jehovah. LORD in all capital letters is the King James Bible’s usual way of representing the divine name Jehovah, the self-existent, faithful, covenant-keeping God of His people. The many ask, “Who?” David answers by prayer: “LORD.” This is the difference between restless speech and faithful speech. The saints must bring their desire for good to the God who alone is good and does good.
“Lift thou up.” David asks God to act. He does not command circumstances, flatter men, or chase the multitude’s confidence. He prays. To lift up suggests a gracious turning, raising, and shining of God’s favourable face upon His people. David knows that if God lifts up His countenance, the question of good is answered at its highest level.
“The light of thy countenance.” This is the great good David seeks. God’s countenance speaks of His face, favour, presence, approval, and gracious regard. The “light” of His countenance is the brightness of His favour toward His people. This language agrees with the priestly blessing: “The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:25-26). David asks for the blessing that gives true peace.
This light is better than outward increase. If God’s countenance shines, the soul has gladness even before circumstances are settled. If God’s face is hidden, earthly abundance cannot satisfy. Corn and wine may increase, but they cannot replace the favour of God (v.7). The light of God’s countenance gives joy, assurance, direction, comfort, and peace that no earthly good can create.
This also explains verse 8. David can lie down in peace because he is not waiting for the many to answer their own question. His safety does not rest in visible good, but in Jehovah’s keeping. The man who has sought the light of God’s countenance can sleep better than the man who has only found more corn and wine. God’s favour quiets the bed that earthly increase cannot quiet.
“Upon us.” David does not pray selfishly. He includes the faithful with himself. The many say, “Who will shew us any good?” David says, “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” He turns the language of the crowd into a better prayer. They seek good; he seeks God’s face. They speak horizontally; he speaks upward. They want some good; he wants the light of Jehovah’s countenance.
This verse teaches the right answer to anxious speech. When many ask, “Who will shew us any good?” the saint should not join their murmuring. He should pray. He should ask for God’s favour, God’s presence, God’s smile, God’s peace, and God’s ordering of the matter. The mouth is best used when it turns earthly questions into heavenly prayer.
It also corrects shallow ideas of blessing. The best good is not first money, ease, health, vindication, success, or visible safety. The best good is God Himself looking favourably upon His people. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). The light of His countenance is better than the increase of earthly goods.
Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s favour toward His people. In Him the grace and truth of God are revealed. By Him believers have peace with God and access into grace (Romans 5:1-2). The glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Therefore, the prayer of Psalm 4:6 finds its fullest comfort in Him. God’s countenance shines upon His people in Christ, and no darkness can finally remove that favour.
Psalm 4:6 therefore teaches the faithful use of words amid common anxiety. Many say, “Who will shew us any good?” Let the saint say, “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” Do not let the crowd teach your mouth to complain. Do not measure good by earthly increase. Seek the favour of Jehovah. His countenance gives gladness now, peace at night, and safety that no man can provide.
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psalm 4:6 contrasts the restless words of many with the faithful prayer of David. Earlier he had commanded troubled men to stand in awe, sin not, commune with their own heart upon their bed, and be still (v.4). Later he will lie down in peace and sleep, because the LORD only makes him dwell in safety (v.8). Between those two points stands this verse. Many are asking, “Who will shew us any good?” David asks for something far better: “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
“There be many.” David observes the multitude. The way of anxious, earthly, sight-bound desire is not rare. Many speak this way. Many judge life by visible improvement, outward relief, present comfort, human help, and earthly increase. The crowd often asks the wrong question, and the saint must not take his theology from the crowd. Truth is not measured by how many say a thing.
“That say.” Here again words reveal the heart. The many are known by what they say. Their question comes out of their mouths because it has first ruled their thoughts. They speak from unrest, disappointment, fear, or desire for visible advantage. Earlier David had commanded men to be still (v.4); here many are speaking out of dissatisfaction. The tongue often exposes whether the soul is governed by faith or by want.
“Who will shew us any good?” This is the question of men looking around for relief. It is not necessarily a request for evil things, for men need food, peace, protection, help, and earthly mercy. But the question is dangerous when it is separated from God. The many ask, “Who?” as though help must be found in men, circumstances, opportunity, wealth, power, or some visible change. They want good shown to them, but David knows that no good is truly good apart from the LORD.
This question is still common. Men say, Who will improve our condition? Who will fix this trouble? Who will give us gain? Who will comfort us? Who will secure tomorrow? Who will make life easier? Such questions can consume the heart. They fill the mouth with complaint, anxiety, comparison, and unbelief. But David teaches the righteous to ask higher things. The deepest need is not first better circumstances, but the favour of God.
The word “good” must be judged by Scripture. The world calls many things good that are empty, dangerous, or passing. Corn and wine will be mentioned in the next verse, and they are good gifts in their place (v.7). But David has greater gladness than men have when corn and wine increase (v.7). Earthly increase is not enough. A man may receive outward good and remain without peace; David may lack outward increase and still rest safely in the LORD.
“LORD.” David turns from the many to Jehovah. LORD in all capital letters is the King James Bible’s usual way of representing the divine name Jehovah, the self-existent, faithful, covenant-keeping God of His people. The many ask, “Who?” David answers by prayer: “LORD.” This is the difference between restless speech and faithful speech. The saints must bring their desire for good to the God who alone is good and does good.
“Lift thou up.” David asks God to act. He does not command circumstances, flatter men, or chase the multitude’s confidence. He prays. To lift up suggests a gracious turning, raising, and shining of God’s favourable face upon His people. David knows that if God lifts up His countenance, the question of good is answered at its highest level.
“The light of thy countenance.” This is the great good David seeks. God’s countenance speaks of His face, favour, presence, approval, and gracious regard. The “light” of His countenance is the brightness of His favour toward His people. This language agrees with the priestly blessing: “The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:25-26). David asks for the blessing that gives true peace.
This light is better than outward increase. If God’s countenance shines, the soul has gladness even before circumstances are settled. If God’s face is hidden, earthly abundance cannot satisfy. Corn and wine may increase, but they cannot replace the favour of God (v.7). The light of God’s countenance gives joy, assurance, direction, comfort, and peace that no earthly good can create.
This also explains verse 8. David can lie down in peace because he is not waiting for the many to answer their own question. His safety does not rest in visible good, but in Jehovah’s keeping. The man who has sought the light of God’s countenance can sleep better than the man who has only found more corn and wine. God’s favour quiets the bed that earthly increase cannot quiet.
“Upon us.” David does not pray selfishly. He includes the faithful with himself. The many say, “Who will shew us any good?” David says, “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” He turns the language of the crowd into a better prayer. They seek good; he seeks God’s face. They speak horizontally; he speaks upward. They want some good; he wants the light of Jehovah’s countenance.
This verse teaches the right answer to anxious speech. When many ask, “Who will shew us any good?” the saint should not join their murmuring. He should pray. He should ask for God’s favour, God’s presence, God’s smile, God’s peace, and God’s ordering of the matter. The mouth is best used when it turns earthly questions into heavenly prayer.
It also corrects shallow ideas of blessing. The best good is not first money, ease, health, vindication, success, or visible safety. The best good is God Himself looking favourably upon His people. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). The light of His countenance is better than the increase of earthly goods.
Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s favour toward His people. In Him the grace and truth of God are revealed. By Him believers have peace with God and access into grace (Romans 5:1-2). The glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Therefore, the prayer of Psalm 4:6 finds its fullest comfort in Him. God’s countenance shines upon His people in Christ, and no darkness can finally remove that favour.
Psalm 4:6 therefore teaches the faithful use of words amid common anxiety. Many say, “Who will shew us any good?” Let the saint say, “LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” Do not let the crowd teach your mouth to complain. Do not measure good by earthly increase. Seek the favour of Jehovah. His countenance gives gladness now, peace at night, and safety that no man can provide.