Psalm 4
New American Standard Bible
Evening Prayer of Trust in God.
[a]For the music director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
4 (A)Answer me when (B)I call, God [b]of my righteousness!
You have [c](C)relieved me in my distress;
Be (D)gracious to me and (E)hear my prayer.
2 You sons of man, how long will (F)my [d]honor be treated as (G)an insult?
How long will you love (H)what is worthless and strive for a (I)lie? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has [e](J)set apart the (K)godly person for Himself;
The Lord (L)hears when I call to Him.
4 [f](M)Tremble, [g](N)and do not sin;
[h](O)Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer [i]the (P)sacrifices of righteousness,
And (Q)trust in the Lord.
6 Many are saying, “(R)Who will show us anything good?”
(S)Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!
7 You have put (T)joy in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
8 In peace I will [j]both (U)lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me (V)dwell in safety.
Footnotes
- Psalm 4 Title I.e., Belonging to the choir director’s anthology
- Psalm 4:1 I.e., who maintains my right
- Psalm 4:1 Lit made room for
- Psalm 4:2 Or glory
- Psalm 4:3 Another reading is dealt wonderfully with
- Psalm 4:4 I.e., with anger or fear
- Psalm 4:4 Or but
- Psalm 4:4 Lit Speak
- Psalm 4:5 Or righteous sacrifices
- Psalm 4:8 Or at the same time
Psalm 4
New Living Translation
Psalm 4
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
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.
Psalm 4
Contemporary English Version
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)
An Evening Prayer
1 You are my God and protector.
Please answer my prayer.
I was in terrible distress,
but you set me free.
Now have pity and listen
as I pray.
2 How long will you people
refuse to respect me?[a]
You love foolish things,
and you run after
what is worthless.[b]
3 The Lord has chosen
everyone who is faithful
to be his very own,[c]
and he answers my prayers.
4 (A) But each of you
had better tremble
and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
as you lie in bed.
5 Offer the proper sacrifices
and trust the Lord.
6 There are some who ask,
“Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord,
shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness
than a rich harvest
of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down
and sleep soundly
because you, Lord,
will keep me safe.
Psalm 4
Easy-to-Read Version
To the director: With stringed instruments. A song of David.
4 God, you showed that I was innocent.
You gave me relief from all my troubles.
So listen to me now when I call to you for help.
Be kind to me and hear my prayer.
2 Men,[a] how long will you try to dishonor me?
Do you enjoy wasting your time searching for new lies against me? Selah
3 You can be sure that anyone who serves the Lord faithfully is special to him.
The Lord listens when I pray to him.
4 Tremble with fear, and stop sinning.[b]
Think about this when you go to bed, and calm down. Selah
5 Give the right sacrifices to the Lord,
and put your trust in him!
6 Many people say, “I wish I could enjoy the good life.
Lord, give us some of those blessings.”[c]
7 But you have made me happier than they will ever be with all their wine and grain.
8 When I go to bed, I sleep in peace,
because, Lord, you keep me safe.
Footnotes
- Psalm 4:2 Men Literally, “Sons of man.” This may be a term of respect spoken to the leaders who were judging the writer of this psalm.
- Psalm 4:4 Or “Be angry, but don’t sin.” See Eph. 4:26, which is based on the ancient Greek version.
- Psalm 4:6 I wish … blessings Or “Who will show us good. Lift up on us the light of your face, Lord.”
Psalm 4
Living Bible
4 O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes;[a] you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer.
2 The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?”
3 Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. 4 Stand before the Lord in awe,[b] and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. 5 Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices.
6 Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong,[c] O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. 7 Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. 8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe.
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