In C S Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe the professor asked Peter and Susan who does their previous experience and knowledge of Edmund and Lucy lead them to believe? Both had visited Narnia, Lucy shared the good news but Edmund denied it for his own selfish reasons. Psalm 4 pursues the same questions about character when under great pressure.
David draws upon his previous experience of God and so trusts Him now. ‘You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!’v3 It is a passionate cry from the heart. David urges reflective prayer,v4 obedience and trust in Godv5 because that way leads to joy in the Lord.v7
In contrast David condemns the high born leaders who use the crisis for their own gain lying and deceiving the nation.v2 He calls such deception loving, ‘delusions and seeking false gods’ but the ancient Hebrew for seeking false gods is equally translated seeking after lies. How we need Godly leaders of integrity. How also we need to discern when to be angry regarding exploitation but not being led into sin ourselves.v4
Who does our past experience lead us to trust? This youtube clip celebrates trusting in Christ alone.