John Calvin Commentary Psalms 4:3

"But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him that is godly: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him." — Psalms 4:3 (ASV)

Know that Jehovah hath set apart, etc. This is a confirmation of the preceding verse, for it shows that the reason for David’s boldness was that he depended upon God, the founder of his kingdom. And surely, we can then safely triumph over our enemies when we are assured of God’s call to the office we hold or the work in which we are engaged.

Accordingly, David does not boast here of his own strength, riches, or armies through which he obtained the kingdom. But as he was chosen by God, he intimates that the many attempts of his enemies against him would be unsuccessful, because they would find from experience that God, whose power they could not successfully resist, was against them.

First, he says that he was set apart by God, meaning that he was raised to the throne not by human will or his own ambition, but by God’s appointment. The Hebrew word פלה, Phalah, signifies “to separate,” and here it refers to a separation to honor and dignity. It is as if he had said, “You admit no one as king except one chosen by your own votes or who pleases you; but it is God’s unique prerogative to choose whomever he wills.”

By the word merciful or bountiful, he doubtless vindicates his right to be king from the fact that this was a quality he himself possessed; it is as if he had produced the mark or badge of his calling. For it was truly said in the old proverb: Mercy is the virtue most suitable for kings.

Now, God usually equips those whom he considers worthy of having this honor conferred upon them with the endowments requisite for exercising their office, so that they may not be like dead idols. Some understand the word חסיד, chasid, in a passive sense, not as denoting a beneficent person, but as one who is placed on the throne by God’s favor.

However, as I find no examples of this meaning of the word in Scripture, I think it safer to follow the common interpretation, which is this: God has chosen a king who embodies the character that all who are called to fill such an exalted station should possess, in that he is merciful and beneficent.

Therefore, he infers that he would be heard by God whenever he called upon him, for God primarily proves his faithfulness in this: he does not forsake the work of his own hands but continually defends those whom he has once received into his favor.

Therefore, we are taught to proceed fearlessly on our path, because whatever we may have undertaken according to his will shall never be ineffective. Let this truth, then, be firmly established in our minds: God will never withhold his assistance from those who continue sincerely in their course. Without this comfort, the faithful would inevitably sink into despondency at every moment.