Psalm 4:3

Berean Standard Bible

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

King James Bible

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

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This verse forms a striking contrast to the preceding rebuke in verse 2. Where verse 2 was a direct and piercing confrontation with those who rebel against truth, delight in vanity, and oppose God’s anointed, verse 3 is a reaffirmation of confidence and identity for the righteous. It is as if the psalmist turns from the disobedient crowd to assert an unshakable reality: despite human opposition, slander, or rejection, God Himself has made a distinction. He has "set apart him that is godly for himself." This is a theological anchor in a sea of conflict—an assertion of divine election, covenantal relationship, and personal assurance in the face of antagonism.

The verse begins with the imperative: "But know." This is no casual observation. It is a summons to awareness, a demand for recognition. The Hebrew conveys the sense of deep understanding—know this not merely as information, but as a settled truth that shapes your worldview. The command is directed to those who oppose David, but it serves as a reminder to the righteous as well: in a world where the lines between good and evil often seem blurred, and where the faithful are frequently opposed or marginalized, it is vital to know, to remember, and to hold fast to what is true. This is covenantal knowledge—a certainty rooted in the character and actions of God.

“That the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.” This clause bears immense theological weight. First, the phrase “the Lord” uses the divine name YHWH—God in His covenantal, self-existent identity. This is not a generic deity, but the God who makes promises, who enters into relationship, who acts on behalf of His people. That this God is the one doing the “setting apart” highlights that the distinction between the righteous and the wicked is not merely moral or social; it is divine in origin. The psalmist asserts that God Himself has drawn a line, and He has done so intentionally, personally, and irrevocably.

The verb “set apart” suggests more than mere separation. It implies consecration, designation, and preservation. To be “set apart” by God is to be marked out for His special purpose and attention. It is the language of election and calling. In the Old Testament, God set apart Israel from the nations, the Levites from among the tribes, and the priests for holy service. Similarly, here, God has chosen the godly—those who fear Him, love Him, and walk with Him—not merely for privilege, but for Himself. The phrase “for himself” reveals the purpose of this divine distinction. The godly are not set apart for their own glory, nor simply for service, but for relationship. They belong to God. He delights in them, communes with them, and keeps them as His own possession.

Who is “him that is godly”? The Hebrew word chasid (translated “godly”) refers to one who is faithful, loyal, and devoted to God—especially in the context of covenant. It is not used of the self-righteous or merely outwardly religious, but of the one whose heart is inclined toward the Lord in loving obedience and trust. In this context, David may be speaking of himself as the “godly one” whom God has set apart. His enemies may be seeking to shame or overthrow him, but their efforts are ultimately futile because his standing with God is secure. More broadly, however, the term represents all those who truly belong to the Lord—those who have embraced His covenant, obey His commandments, and walk in faith.

The final clause of the verse delivers a powerful assurance: “The Lord will hear when I call unto him.” This is not a hope, nor a vague optimism; it is a confident declaration grounded in covenantal intimacy. Because God has set apart the godly for Himself, He listens when they pray. The idea of God “hearing” is not mere auditory acknowledgment—it is relational, responsive, and affectionate. To say that God “hears” is to say that He cares, that He attends, that He will act on behalf of the one who calls. David is not merely saying, “God knows my situation,” but “God is responsive to my voice; He will not turn away from my plea.”

This clause connects deeply with the opening of the psalm, where David cries out, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness.” Now, in verse 3, he reaffirms the very confidence that undergirds that plea. Even if the “sons of men” turn against him, even if they mock and lie and seek his downfall, David knows one thing for certain: the Lord hears him. His prayer does not vanish into the silence of the cosmos—it is received, regarded, and treasured by the One who has claimed him as His own.

This verse, then, functions both as a rebuke to the wicked and a comfort to the righteous. To the rebellious, it is a reminder that their attacks are ultimately ineffective because they are not merely attacking a man, but one whom God has claimed. To the faithful, it is a reminder that in times of distress, rejection, or confusion, they are not abandoned. God has not only set them apart—He listens when they call. Their cries are not wasted. Their prayers are not in vain.

Psalm 4:3 also carries Christological resonance. In the ultimate sense, Jesus is the one truly set apart by God—the perfectly righteous, godly one, the Beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased. He was not only set apart in incarnation and baptism, but in His consecrated life and atoning death. And yet, paradoxically, He too was shamed by men, rejected, and accused falsely. But the Father heard Him—“He was heard because of His reverent submission.” The assurance David claims in Psalm 4 finds its fullest expression in Christ and becomes the inheritance of all who are in Him. Through union with Christ, believers are likewise set apart, made holy, and given access to the ear of the Father. Their identity is now hidden in Christ, their prayers rise in His name, and they too can say, “The Lord will hear when I call unto Him.”

Thus, Psalm 4:3 is a declaration of divine favor, a theological assertion of security, and a pastoral comfort to every believer who faces opposition, isolation, or uncertainty. It reminds the reader that identity is not determined by the judgment of men, but by the call and claim of God. It reassures the heart that in every dark night, every whispered prayer, and every anxious sigh, the Lord of the covenant hears—and not merely as a passive listener, but as a faithful Redeemer who acts on behalf of His beloved.

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Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. I write to you, beloved in the Lord, as fellow pilgrims on the narrow way, those sanctified by grace and sustained by mercy, that you may be strengthened in your hearts and firm in your minds, knowing that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself.

Let this truth be the anchor of your soul in every storm: you are not your own. You were not swept up by accident nor gathered by chance, but you have been chosen—personally, intentionally, eternally—by the One who formed the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth. The God who called the stars by name has also called you. Not merely for a task or a season, but for Himself. He did not redeem you to keep you at a distance, nor cleanse you to leave you in uncertainty. He has set you apart, and you are His.

Do not forget this when the world mocks your hope or scorns your holiness. Do not forget this when your heart falters or when voices of deception tempt you to believe that you are forgotten. The sons of men may still love vain things; they may still pursue lies and exalt what is hollow. They may still rise against those who walk with the Lord, seeking to turn glory into shame. But you, beloved, must remember the distinction that heaven has made. You are not common. You are not forsaken. You are not at the mercy of this present age.

To be set apart is not to be exalted by the world, but to be hidden in the counsel of God. It is to be shielded in the shadow of the Almighty, to be known by Him in secret, even when misunderstood in public. The godly are not set apart for ease, but for intimacy. You are not preserved to be distant observers of holiness, but to be participants in it. You are not insulated from affliction, but you are guarded by the promises of God in the midst of it.

And know this: the Lord hears when you call. Let not the delay of answers discourage you, for the ear of God is never deaf to His people. His timing may test you, but His faithfulness will uphold you. In your night of weeping, in your hours of confusion, in the silence of the unanswered prayer, He has not turned His face away. When your words fail and only sighs remain, the Spirit intercedes. When your strength gives out and your tears run dry, He who watches over you neither slumbers nor sleeps. You are not unheard, and you are never alone.

Therefore, do not be moved by the fury of the proud or the schemes of the wicked. Let the world love its lies and build its kingdoms upon sand; you build your life upon the Rock. Let others trust in riches, in influence, in the applause of men; you trust in the covenant-keeping God who has pledged Himself to you. When your enemies rise, take refuge not in retaliation but in the knowledge that you belong to the One who vindicates His saints in righteousness. And even when vindication tarries, rest in the peace of a conscience kept clean, for the Lord will make His face to shine upon you in due time.

Live, then, in the assurance of being set apart. Let your speech be seasoned with grace, your conduct adorned with holiness, your heart filled with gratitude. Do not envy the wicked when they prosper, nor imitate their paths when they succeed. You were not made for the fleeting shadows of this world, but for the eternal light of God's presence. Remember that to be godly is not merely to behave righteously, but to walk with God, to love Him supremely, and to be satisfied in Him completely.

Guard your heart, for you are His. Take up the armor of light, for you are His. Offer your body as a living sacrifice, for you are His. And when you pray, do not doubt—He will hear you. Not because of your eloquence or merit, but because He has made you His own. His Son intercedes for you. His Spirit lives within you. His promise cannot fail you.

May the Lord, who has set you apart for Himself, keep you blameless until the day of Christ. May He increase in you the joy of your salvation and the boldness of faith. May you shine as lights in the midst of a crooked generation, holding forth the word of life, not because you belong to the world, but because you have been called out of it.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy—to the only wise God be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, both now and forevermore.

Amen.

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O Sovereign Lord, our God and Redeemer, we lift our hearts to You, the One who dwells in unapproachable light yet has drawn near to the lowly, who thunders from heaven yet whispers peace to Your beloved. You are the eternal One, the unchanging I AM, who has chosen for Yourself a people, not because of their merit, but because of Your covenant mercy and unfailing love. You have set apart the godly for Yourself—not merely to use them for Your purposes, but to possess them, to delight in them, to dwell with them as a Father with His children and a Bridegroom with His bride.

We bless You, Lord, that we are not forgotten, not abandoned to the will of the wicked, nor tossed about by the shifting winds of this world. Though the schemes of men rise against us, and though the voices of the proud attempt to turn our glory into shame, we take refuge in Your unshakable decree: that You have marked us, sealed us, called us out from among the nations to be holy unto You. We are not our own, for You have set us apart—not to be admired by men, but to be known by You. You have written our names not in fading dust, but in the Book of Life, and You keep us as the apple of Your eye.

You, O Lord, know those who are Yours. You distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who fears You and the one who trusts in vanity. Let not our hearts grow envious of evildoers, nor our spirits be troubled when the proud appear to prosper. For You, O King, will not allow Your holy ones to be swallowed by lies or hidden in shame. You are our defender and our glory. You are the lifter of our heads and the sustainer of our steps. You have brought us near, clothed us in the righteousness of Your Son, and by Your Spirit, You have made Your dwelling within us.

We thank You, Father, that You hear us when we call. We are not orphans crying into the wind. Our groanings reach the throne, our sighs are understood by the Spirit, and our petitions are received by the One who sits at Your right hand, ever living to make intercession for us. Even when the words fail and the strength gives out, You hear the trembling breath of our prayers. In the watches of the night, in the shadows of affliction, in the silence of waiting, Your ear is inclined toward Your own. Let this assurance quiet our anxious minds, that though the world may misunderstand us and our enemies may accuse, You, O Lord, are the one who justifies.

Make us, O God, to walk in the manner worthy of our calling. Let the reality that we have been set apart for You govern our conduct, shape our thoughts, and purify our affections. Teach us to tremble at Your Word and to rejoice in Your presence. Let the knowledge that we are Yours—bought by the blood of the Lamb and sealed by the Spirit—fill us with holy fear and holy joy. May we not be entangled with the vanity of this age nor chase after lies that promise much but deliver death. Root us, rather, in Your truth. Let our delight be in Your statutes, our meditation be on Your ways, and our obedience flow from love.

Grant us boldness in the day of adversity and gentleness in the face of hostility. Let those who oppose us see not our retaliation but our trust. Let them behold not our arguments but our peace, not our striving but our rest in You. And if we are counted fools by the world, let it be for the sake of Your wisdom. If we are rejected by men, let it be because we are approved by You. For better is one word from Your mouth than ten thousand praises from the lips of men.

Keep us faithful until the end, O Lord, for You are faithful who called us. Sanctify us wholly. Preserve us blameless in spirit and soul and body at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. You who have begun a good work in us will complete it. You who have called us out will lead us in. You who have set us apart will bring us near forever.

To You be glory and dominion, honor and praise, for You have set the godly apart for Yourself, and You will hear when we call.

Amen.