What does Psalm 40:4 mean?
Many Scriptures declare that happiness is most likely when a person trusts and obeys God (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 37:5–9). Trials and hardships will come, even to those who honor God (John 16:33), but those who love the Lord are guaranteed eventual victory (Romans 8:28–30).David had learned in the wilderness to rely on the Lord for safety, and he was not disappointed. His trust in God brought him great happiness. The person who puts their faith in the Lord doesn't take advice from arrogant, worldly people. Nor does he imitate those who follow lies, false ideas, or foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:12; Romans 12:1–2; Proverbs 5:22–23).
When Satan tempted Eve in the garden of Eden, he lied to her. He told her she would not die for eating the forbidden fruit, although God had said clearly, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16–17). Those who spread lies against David were following the evil pattern established by Satan (John 8:44).
