Acts 4:21-31

New International Version

²¹After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(A) were praising God^(B) for what had happened. ²²For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.^(C) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^(D) ²⁵You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(E)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.^[a]’^[b]^(F)

²⁷Indeed Herod^(G) and Pontius Pilate^(H) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(I) whom you anointed. ²⁸They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^(J) ²⁹Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^(K) ³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(L) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(M)

³¹After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(N) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(O) and spoke the word of God^(P) boldly.^(Q)

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Footnotes

Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

Psalm 4

New International Version

Psalm 4^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹Answer me^(A) when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;^(B)
have mercy^(C) on me and hear my prayer.^(D)

²How long will you people turn my glory^(E) into shame?^(F)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[b]?^[c]^(G)
³Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant^(H) for himself;
the Lord hears^(I) when I call to him.

⁴Tremble and^[d] do not sin;^(J)
    when you are on your beds,^(K)
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.^(L)

⁶Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.^(M)
⁷Fill my heart^(N) with joy^(O)
when their grain and new wine^(P) abound.

⁸In peace^(Q) I will lie down and sleep,^(R)
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.^(S)

Footnotes

Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)