我們可以從這些詩篇了解，義人身處逆境之中，仍可放心，因為上帝必看顧他。詩篇第四篇的歷史情況也許與第三篇的相同，當時押沙龍正在背叛其父大衛。大衛以鎮定的信心請求上帝解救他。他相信上帝會解救他，因為上帝在過去已多次這麼做過（4：1）。大衛警告那些譭謗他的敵人，在睡覺之前，應安靜聽自己良心的聲音（我們也當如此），這樣，才不會犯罪（4：4；比較弗4：26）。他們應該明白，反抗上帝所揀選及膏立的大衛王，也就等於是反抗上帝自己，必是徒勞無功的。大衛在這個時候既平靜，又有信心，實在是沒有什麼奇怪的，他說：「我求告耶和華，祂必聽我」（4：3）。大衛與他周圍悲觀的人不同，因為他對上帝的信靠使他心裡充滿了喜悅，也使他心裡有了平靜。在這個晚禱中，大衛承認，上帝就是他的安全（不是他的貼身保鑣或軍隊），因此，他可以心裡無憂地一覺睡到天亮，得到真正的休息。

        在詩篇第五篇中，大衛再度為敵人包圍，但他是一個禱告的人，晚上祈禱（詩篇第四篇），也在早上祈禱。此刻他並不因可怕的情況而感沮喪，反而憑信仰望耶和華成為他的力量和引導。就是憑著仰望上帝，一個人才能超越困苦的環境，並且「保持得勝」。大衛曾警告他的敵人，要悔改，也要信靠耶和華（4：4~5）。不過，他的話似乎成了耳邊風，他的敵人根本不理他的話，繼續做壞事。因此，大衛在詩篇中禱告，求上帝摧毀他們的暴力、謊話、及有叛逆性的邪惡之人。大衛知道，至高聖潔的上帝恨惡罪，並要懲罰罪人，所以他宣告，上帝要滅絕他們（5：6）。大衛繼續祈禱，顯明義人與惡人的對比。當他的敵人仍在行惡時，他是在敬虔地敬拜耶和華，也將他的道路託付給祂。那些背叛上帝的人都被定罪，將來必要在過犯中跌倒，並被逐出（5：10）；但是義人充滿喜樂、福氣、蒙上帝大能的手臂保護，就好像受盾牌保護一樣。義人擁有最有力的武器──他們可以在禱告中轉向上帝。那還有什麼好怕的？

        在詩篇第六篇中，我們看到，大衛的痛苦比任何前一章所描述的都要深。大衛的生活中有很多煩惱（撒下就記錄了很多），包括他自己的邪惡行為（與拔示巴的通姦），因此本篇也是一篇悔罪的詩。顯然，大衛是在受苦，也可能罹患危及生命的疾病，但是他求上帝憐憫的禱告卻是出於他受苦的靈魂。他承認上帝的責罰是他受苦的原因。他沒有像約伯那樣，堅稱自己是無辜的，因為他從來沒有否認自己的罪；他祇是承認他自己是軟弱的，並且求上帝可憐他（6：2）。他祈求上帝的責罰不要置他於死，同時，他也與上帝理論，求上帝釋放他，好讓他能活著讚美上帝（6：5）。

        大衛用詩人誇張的手法，表達他沉痛的悲哀（認罪），唉哼流淚（6：6）。就像約伯一樣，他的敵人又在他的苦難與悲哀上添加了羞辱（6：7）。但是突然地，大衛的語氣變了（6：7），因為他似乎重新獲得了力量和勇氣。大衛高聲地譴責他的敵人，因為他現在相信，主耶和華已經垂聽了他的懇求（6：9）。

        親愛的耶和華，當我們有苦難的時候，您與我們同在，同時，您也聽義人的禱告。感謝您保護及祝福那些信靠您的人。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        From these psalms we learn that even though distressful situations surround the godly, they may rest assured that God is watching over them. The historical circumstance of Psalm 4 is likely the same as Psalm 3, when Absalom was in rebellion against his father David. With trust and serenity, David appeals to God for deliverance. He has confidence that God will deliver him, since God had proven himself in the past (4:1). David admonishes his adversaries, who had slandered his reputation, to meditate or listen to their consciences before they sleep (as should we all), so that they might not sin (4:4; cf. Ephesians 4:26). They should realize that fighting against King David, the one whom the Lord had chosen and anointed, was to fight against God Himself and was therefore futile. It is no wonder David was calm and confident, saying, "The Lord will hear when I call to Him "(4:3). Unlike the pessimistic people around him, David's trust in God gave him great gladness of heart, as well as peace of mind. In this evening prayer, David acknowledges that God alone is his safety (not his bodyguard or army), and so he can sleep without worrying and have true rest.

        In Psalm 5, David is once again surrounded by foes, but he was a man of prayer, praying in the evening (Psalm 4) and now also in the morning. Rather than being downcast because of his grim circumstances, David looks to the Lord for strength and guidance. It is only by looking to God that one can live above the circumstances, not under them, and "keep the victory". David had warned his adversaries to repent and trust in God (4:4-5). It appears, however, that his words went unheeded, for his foes continued in their wickedness. So David prays in this psalm that God will destroy those violent, lying, rebellious workers of iniquity. David knew that his Most Holy God hated sin and must punish sinners, so he declares that God would destroy them (5:6). Continuing his prayer, David shows the sharp contrast between the wicked and the righteous. While his foes are working iniquity, he is reverently worshipping the Lord and committing his ways to Him. Those who rebel against God are pronounced guilty, made to fall in defeat, and cast out (5:10); but the godly are full of joy, blessed, and protected by His mighty arm, as though surrounded by a shield. The righteous have the greatest weapon — they can turn to the Lord in prayer. What then is there to fear?

        In Psalm 6, we see that David is in deeper distress than in any of the preceding psalms. There were many distressing events in David's life (2 Samuel records many), including his own sinful deeds (e.g. with Bathsheba), and this is a psalm of repentance. Clearly, David is suffering, possibly with a life-threatening sickness, but his cry for mercy comes out of the suffering of his soul. He recognizes the chastisement of God as the reason for his suffering. Unlike Job, he does not insist upon his innocence, nor does he deny his sin; he merely admits his weakness and throws himself upon God's mercy (6:2). He prays that God's chastisement will not lead to his death, and He reasons with God to deliver him so he might live to praise Him (6:5).

        With poetic exaggeration, David expresses his great grief (in recognition of his sin), which causes him to groan and weep profusely (6:6). Like Job, his enemies' insults added to his suffering and grief (6:7). But suddenly, there is a change in David's tone (6:8) as he seems to have regained his strength and boldness. David loudly rebukes his enemies, for he is now confident that the Lord has heard his supplication (6:9).

        You are there, dear Lord, in our times of trouble, and You hear the cry of the righteous. Thank 'You for the divine protection and blessings You are so willing to give to those who trust you.