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Psalm 4
New International Version

Psalm 4[a]

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

1 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)

2 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)
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(H) for himself;
    the Lord hears(I) when I call to him.

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

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

8 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)
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Psalm 4
English Standard Version

Answer Me When I Call

To the (A)choirmaster: with (B)stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

4 Answer me when I call, O God of my (C)righteousness!
    You have (D)given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men,[a] how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after (E)lies? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has (F)set apart (G)the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 (H)Be angry,[b] and do not sin;
    (I)ponder in your own hearts (J)on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer (K)right sacrifices,
    and put your (L)trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    (M)Lift up (N)the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put (O)more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both (P)lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me (Q)dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:2 Or O men of rank
  2. Psalm 4:4 Or Be agitated
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Psalm 4
Expanded Bible

An Evening Prayer

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

4 Answer me when I ·pray [L call] to you,
    my God who ·does what is right [is righteous; or who vindicates me].
·Make things easier for me [Give me room; Widen my way] when I am in trouble.
    Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 People, how long will you turn my ·honor [glory] into shame?
    How long will you love what is ·false [empty] and ·look for [seek] lies [C possibly referring to false gods]? ·Selah [Interlude]
3 You know that the Lord has ·chosen [set apart; distinguished] for himself those who are loyal to him [C in covenant relationship with him].
    The Lord listens when I ·pray [call] to him.
4 When you ·are angry [are disturbed; L tremble], do not sin.
    ·Think about these things [Meditate; L Speak to your heart] quietly
    ·as you go to bed [L on your bed]. ·Selah [Interlude]
5 ·Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord [L Sacrifice right/righteous sacrifices]
    and trust the Lord.

6 Many people ask,
    “Who will ·give us [L make us see] anything good?”
    Lord, ·be kind to us [L let the light of your face shine on us; Num. 6:24–26].
7 But you have ·made me very happy [L given joy to my heart],
    happier than they are,
    even with all their grain and new wine.
8 I ·go to bed [L lie down] and sleep in peace,
    because, Lord, only you ·keep me safe [make me secure].

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Psalm 4
King James Version

4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

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