"The Royal Preacher"

Psalms 4: "To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David." If you have a title for this Psalm shown in your Bible, then you will see that it's title is 'An Evening Prayer'; and if you recall, Psalms Three was titled 'A Morning Prayer'. Typically the difference between these two titles is that one is more for a private devotion, being that it is called "A Morning Prayer', while the other is more for an assembly of people, in which David is addressing God and men. I can envision David in his royal court, surrounded by musicians, with him on his harp, and with many of his loyal subjects sitting around to hear his sermon; although this sermon was put forth in the form of a song. The meaning of "Neginoth" is that of music, song, or stringed instrument. This was David's special talent when it came to worship; and he was very good at playing the harp. If you are familiar with his first ministry that he had for King Saul, it was playing the harp for him when he was discouraged or depressed. The reason that this is something that should be taken into account when reading this Psalm, is the type of Psalm that we are reading is one that is asking men to receive instruction; which is what a sermon would be of that which was delivered by a preacher; much like Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount. This is an image that we seldom picture David as: A Preacher; instead, we see him as a king, a warrior, a giant slayer, or as one that sinned against God. Yet, he, as well as his son Solomon, were very good preachers, and they both would get the attention of those to whom they preached. In this particular Psalm, David is asking those that are listening to examine their own lives, as he gives testimony of his own. All of which is done in a manner as to bring those that would receive it to a better understanding of the security that we have in God. As we go though this Psalm, that is my prayer for myself, as well as for anyone else that is following this blog; that we come to a place where we clearly see the security that we have in the arms of a God that loves us, more than we could ever love ourselves; because we are always focused upon ourselves in the wrong way, and placing our love in areas which fade and are always changing. Loving the way that we look, or the way that we are successful, or our standing in our own little worlds; all of which is vanity, and is always fading; but the love that we have in God is secure, and never changes...