John Calvin Commentary Psalms 4:6

"Many there are that say, Who will show us [any] good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." — Psalms 4:6 (ASV)

Many say. Some are of the opinion that David here complains of the cruel malice of his enemies, because they greedily sought his life. But David, I have no doubt, compares the sole wish with which his own heart was burning to the many desires with which almost all mankind are distracted.

Since ungodly men do not hold or act upon the principle that only those can be truly and perfectly happy who have a share in God's favor, and that they ought to live as strangers and pilgrims in the world to obtain, through hope and patience, a better life in due time, they remain contented with perishable good things. Therefore, if they enjoy outward prosperity, they are not influenced by any great concern about God.

Accordingly, while, like the lower animals, they grasp at various objects—some at one thing, and some at another—thinking to find supreme happiness in them, David, with very good reason, separates himself from them and sets before himself an entirely different goal. I do not dispute the interpretation which suggests that David is here complaining about his own followers, who, finding their strength insufficient to bear the hardships that befell them, and exhausted by weariness and grief, gave way to complaints and anxiously desired rest.

But I am rather inclined to interpret the words more broadly, and to see them as meaning that David, content with God's favor alone, declares that he disregards and places no value on objects that others ardently desire. This comparison between David's desire and the world's desires clearly illustrates this important doctrine: that the faithful, placing little value on present good things, rest in God alone, and consider nothing more valuable than to know from experience that they share in His favor.

David, therefore, indicates two things:

1. Firstly, that all those who wish to enjoy prosperity but do not begin by seeking God's favor are fools. By neglecting this, they are carried away by the various false opinions that are prevalent.

2. Secondly, he rebukes another vice: that of coarse and worldly men giving themselves wholly to the ease and comforts of the flesh, and settling down in, or contenting themselves with, the enjoyment of these alone, without thinking of anything higher.

From this it also happens that as long as they are supplied with other things according to their desires, they are altogether indifferent to God, just as if they had no need of Him.

David, on the contrary, testifies that even if he is destitute of all other good things, God's fatherly love is sufficient to compensate for the loss of them all. This, therefore, is the meaning of the whole passage: "The greater number of men greedily seek after present pleasures and advantages; but I maintain that perfect felicity is only to be found in the favor of God."

David uses the expression, The light of God’s countenance, to denote His serene and pleasant countenance—the manifestations of His favor and love; just as, on the other hand, God's face seems dark and clouded to us when He shows tokens of His anger. This light, by a beautiful metaphor, is said to be lifted up, when, shining in our hearts, it produces trust and hope.

It would not be enough for us to be loved by God unless the awareness of this love truly reached our hearts; but, shining upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit, He cheers us with true and solid joy.

This passage teaches us that those are miserable who do not, with full resolution, rest wholly in God and find their satisfaction in Him, even if they have an overflowing abundance of all earthly things. On the other hand, the faithful, although they are tossed about by many troubles, are truly happy, if for no other reason than that God’s fatherly countenance shines upon them, which turns darkness into light and, so to speak, gives life even to death itself.