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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.(A)

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 4.4 Or are angry

(0) For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David:

(1) O God, my vindicator!
Answer me when I call!
When I was distressed, you set me free;
now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

(2) Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor,
love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)
(3) Understand that Adonai sets apart
the godly person for himself;
Adonai will hear when I call to him.
(4) You can be angry, but do not sin!
Think about this as you lie in bed,
and calm down. (Selah)
(5) Offer sacrifices rightly,
and put your trust in Adonai.

(6) Many ask, “Who can show us some good?”
Adonai, lift the light of your face over us!
(7) You have filled my heart with more joy
than all their grain and new wine.
(8) I will lie down and sleep in peace;
for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.

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