Psalms4
New Living Translation
1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude
3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Study
Psalms 4Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 4. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The children of men proved, and the happiness of godly people. (1–5). God's favour is happiness. (6–8).
vv1-5
Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God. You have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be spoken with, let it not be unsaid. Examine them by serious self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon that which is good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to what you have done in the day; particularly what you have done amiss, that you may repent of it. when you awake in the night, meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace. Upon a sick-bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be still. when you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be silent, wait for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence must be pan answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence only: therefore, after commanding the sacrifices of righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust in the Lord.
vv6-8
Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good meat, good drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most men, but a gracious soul will not be put off so. Lord, let us have thy favour, and let us know that we have it, we desire no more; let us be satisfied of thy loving-kindness, and will be satisfied with it. Many inquire after happiness, but David had found it. When God puts grace in the heart, he puts gladness in the heart. Thus comforted, he pitied, but neither envied nor feared the most prosperous sinner. He commits all his affairs to God, and is prepared to welcome his holy will. But salvation is in Christ alone; where will those appear who despise him as their Mediator, and revile him in his disciples? May they stand in awe, and no longer sin against the only remedy.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
נְגִינָה: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
צֶדֶק: the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
רָחַב: to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
צַר: narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ; (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
Cross References
Psalms 4The Greek Septuagint translation of 'Stand in awe' is directly cited by Paul as 'Be angry/sin not'.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the high priestly blessing: 'lift up the light of thy countenance upon us'.
Supported by JFB
Parallels laying down, sleeping, and waking in safety under God's protection.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
David's election as 'godly' (set apart) connects to being a man after God's heart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Directly parallels the joy of harvest, particularly in the increase of corn and wine.
Supported by JFB
Underlying metaphor of being 'enlarged' or brought into a large place from distress.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels night-time self-examination, communing with one's own heart on the bed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the specific Hebrew phrase 'sacrifices of righteousness' in worship.
Supported by Matthew Henry