"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer."

Psalm 4:1

Many English versions of verse 1, following the original Hebrew and its ancient Greek translation (Septuagint), have David addressing the Lord as the ‘God of my righteousness.’ This conveys the idea that God alone is just (righteous) and the justifier of those who trust in him—a notion taken up in the New Testament by the apostle Paul (see below). David here underlines his spiritual dependency on God. He is not righteous in himself, but solely because of God’s compassion toward him. That is why he cries to God, ‘have mercy on me’ (v. 1). He doesn’t deserve God’s help, but expects it on the basis of his Vindicator’s covenant love.

All of this prefigures the relationship between Christians and Christ. By accepting that he died in our place (as our substitute), taking the punishment our sins deserve, we are declared not guilty in the divine court where our Judge is the only one who can justify us. Because we have entered into the new covenant in his blood, we, like David, can enjoy God’s peace and expect God’s help for his own name’s sake.

Closing Prayer

I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your promise never to leave or forsake me. Thank you for the joy and peace that are mine because you are always with me (edited from Encounter with God).