“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Eph 4:26–27)
Those familiar with Ephesians 4:25–32 have likely been instructed, as have I, that St. Paul’s intent here is to warn us of taking anger too far—fester into bitterness or erupt into a rage—with possible consequences from improper thoughts or actions. While I certainly would not discount this idea seeing that the paragraph is a general warning against unrighteousness. That said, I would like to offer a different twist based on my reading of Psalm 4 from which the quoted portion is taken from verse 4.
How does David’s treatment more reflect on the apostle’s instruction to Ephesus? Rather than dwelling on what degree or what appropriate use of anger should be applied in an occasion, Paul appealed to Christians to have the same feelings toward their concupiscence and deal with it, advocating self-control from our position as new men in Christ (Eph 4:24) that we might also rest peacefully in the Savior.
Those familiar with Ephesians 4:25–32 have likely been instructed, as have I, that St. Paul’s intent here is to warn us of taking anger too far—fester into bitterness or erupt into a rage—with possible consequences from improper thoughts or actions. While I certainly would not discount this idea seeing that the paragraph is a general warning against unrighteousness. That said, I would like to offer a different twist based on my reading of Psalm 4 from which the quoted portion is taken from verse 4.
Be angry, and do not sin.The first line has nothing new: St. Paul lifted that portion of the verse directly. The question comes from the second line: what did David intend with meditating and being still? Let’s compare line with the same in the Septuagint (LXX):
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Be angry, and do not sin;Notice how it is expanded to give clarity. The psalmist is not intending that we be angry stopping short of sin, rather he is saying we are to be angry with or because of our sin (i.e., concupiscence in all manifestations), therefore be on guard and refrain from sin. This is nothing new. Consider St. Paul’s appeal to the church in Rome as he recounts the war within himself (Rom 7). Returning to the psalm, David appeals to men to consider their worthless condition apart from God and remember their current standing in Him, leading us to offer the sacrifice of righteousness and hope, which has first been received from our loving Lord. No other offering would be acceptable. David’s point, then, is to note that he can sleep at night knowing that he is clean before the Lord, and it is his desire that we would know the same and relish it.
Have remorse on your beds
For what you say in your hearts.
How does David’s treatment more reflect on the apostle’s instruction to Ephesus? Rather than dwelling on what degree or what appropriate use of anger should be applied in an occasion, Paul appealed to Christians to have the same feelings toward their concupiscence and deal with it, advocating self-control from our position as new men in Christ (Eph 4:24) that we might also rest peacefully in the Savior.
I will both sleep and rest in peace,
For You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope. (Ps 4:8)
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