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Psalm 4

Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
    You gave me room when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame?
    How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

When you are disturbed,[a] do not sin;
    ponder it on your beds, and be silent.Selah
Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good!
    Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!’
You have put gladness in my heart
    more than when their grain and wine abound.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:4 Or are angry

Psalm 4

My Righteous God, Give Me Relief

Heading

For the choir director. With stringed instruments. A psalm by David.

A Prayer to God

My righteous God, answer me when I call.
When I was under pressure, you gave me relief.
Be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

A Rebuke to Enemies

You people, how long will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love empty delusions? Interlude
How long will you pursue lies?
Know this: The Lord has set apart
    his favored one[a] for himself.
The Lord will hear when I call to him.

Advice to Friends

You may be upset, but do not sin.
When you are on your beds,
    speak to your heart, but remain silent. Interlude
Offer righteous sacrifices,
and trust in the Lord.
Many are saying, “Who can show us any good?”
Shine the light of your face on us, O Lord.

Closing Prayer

You have placed joy in my heart greater than the joy
    when grain and new wine are plentiful.
In complete peace I will lie down, and I will sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:3 The Hebrew word hasid refers to someone who receives and/or gives mercy. It is the most common title for a believer in the Psalms. Many translations use generic terms like devout, godly, or faithful. This translation uses favored when hasid refers primarily to a recipient of mercy and merciful when it refers primarily to a dispenser of mercy.

Psalm 4[a]

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

Answer 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)

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

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

The Safety of the Faithful

To the [a]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
[b]Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that (A)the Lord has [c]set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

(B)Be[d] angry, and do not sin.
(C)Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Offer (D)the sacrifices of righteousness,
And (E)put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
(F)Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put (G)gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
(H)I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
(I)For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:1 Choir Director
  2. Psalm 4:1 Be gracious to me
  3. Psalm 4:3 Many Heb. mss., LXX, Tg., Vg. made wonderful
  4. Psalm 4:4 Lit. Tremble or Be agitated