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Verse
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Psalm chapter 4

English Standard Version

1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 2O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 3But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. 6There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" 7You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
New International Version

1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods
3Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. 6Many, Lord, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine on us.
7Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
New American Standard Bible

1 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 2You sons of man, how long will my honor be treated as an insult? How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? Selah 3But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. 4 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah 5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord. 6Many are saying, 'Who will show us anything good?' Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord! 7You have put joy in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine are abundant. 8In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.
Christian Standard Bible

1For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
2How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah 3Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
4Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah
5Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.
6Many are asking, "Who can show us anything good?" Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. 7You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
New Living Translation

1Answer 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.
2How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.
4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
6Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?' Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
King James Version

1(To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.) 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.
2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
New King James Version

1{To the 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; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah
3But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord. 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

What does Psalm chapter 4 mean?

Psalm 4 is inspired by the same circumstances as Psalm 3. David's rebellious son, Absalom, has forced David to flee for his life (2 Samuel 15:13–14).

The choirmaster was the minister of music in the tabernacle or temple; this role is mentioned in the titles of fifty-five psalms.

David begins by praying for grace. He scolds those who oppose him, since they have followed the manipulation of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6). Even as David recognizes their betrayal, he expresses confidence that God has called him. This is both reassurance to David, and a warning to his enemies (Psalm 4:1–3).

Turning to his own followers, David warns against letting emotion drag a person into sin. Even in dire circumstances (Psalm 3:1), believers should not allow their feelings to override their faith. The Hebrew word referring to anger here more literally refers to trembling, shaking, or agitation. Paul famously refers to this when discussing anger (Ephesians 4:26). David's immediate meaning involves more than uncontrolled rage. It's important to honor God in humility and faith, rather than letting anger—even righteous anger—lead a person into sin (Psalm 4:4–5).

The end of this psalm praises God for His encouragement. David notes that he has immense joy, thanks to the Lord. Joy is not always the same as happiness, nor does it always come from happy circumstances (James 1:2–4; Luke 6:22–23). Rather, it's an underlying sense of trust and reassurance, knowing that God is ultimately in control (Psalm 4:6–8).
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