Psalm 4

International Standard Version

To the Director: With stringed instruments. A Davidic Psalm

Trust God under Adversity

4 When I call, answer me,
my righteous God!^[a]
When I was in distress, you set me free.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

²You people,
    how long will you malign my reputation?
How long will you love what is vain^[b]
    and what is false?
Interlude
³But understand this:^[c]
    the Lord has set apart the godly for himself!
        The Lord will hear me when I cry out to him!

⁴Be angry, yet do not sin.^[d]
    Think about this^[e] when upon your beds,
        and be silent.
Interlude
⁵Offer sacrifices that are righteous,
    and put your confidence in the Lord.

⁶Many are asking, “Who will help us to see better days?”^[f]
    Lord, may the light of your favor^[g] shine upon us.
⁷You have given me more joy in my heart than at harvest times,
    when grain and wine abound.
⁸I will lie down and sleep in peace,
    for you alone, Lord, enable me to live securely.

Footnotes

Psalm 4:1 Or God of my righteousness
Psalm 4:2 I.e. what has no substance
Psalm 4:3 The Heb. lacks this
Psalm 4:4 Cf. Eph 4:26
Psalm 4:4 The Heb. lacks this
Psalm 4:6 Lit. cause us to see good
Psalm 4:6 Lit. face

Psalm 4

GOD’S WORD Translation

For the choir director; with stringed instruments; a psalm by David.

4 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness.
You have freed me from my troubles.
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!

²You important people,
how long are you going to insult my honor?
How long are you going to love what is empty
and seek what is a lie? Selah
³Know that the Lord singles out godly people for himself.
The Lord hears me when I call to him.
⁴Tremble and do not sin.
Think about this on your bed and remain quiet. Selah
⁵Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
by trusting the Lord.

⁶Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?”
Let the light of your presence shine on us, O Lord.
⁷You put more joy in my heart
than when their grain and new wine increase.
⁸I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down
because you alone, O Lord, enable me to live securely.

International Standard Version (ISV)

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)