Psalm 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

NIV: How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods

NASB: You 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

CSB: How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah

NLT: How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude

KJV: 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.

NKJV: How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah

The background of this psalm is the same as that of Psalm 3: the violent rebellion against David's rule, by his own son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15—18). In this verse David turns his attention to Absalom's followers. He asks them two questions: How long will you tarnish my reputation? How long will you follow lies?

These men had rejected David's rule because they allowed Absalom to deceive them. Absalom's good looks and flattery persuaded many people to reject David, instead supporting Absalom as king. Second Samuel 14:25–26 says, "Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him." Absalom also manipulated popular opinion. He had fifty men run ahead of his chariot. He also sat by the city gate and expressed judgment in favor of anyone coming to the city for judgment in a dispute. Absalom told them their claims were "good and right," but that there was no representative of the king to hear the dispute; he claimed if he were judge everyone would receive justice (2 Samuel 15:1–5). Absalom successfully stole the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15:6).

Psalm 4:1–5 discloses David's appeal to God for grace, and his appeal to his enemies to stop listening to hollow words and lies. They should recognize that the Lord is on David's side and answers his prayers. The prayer rises from the occasion referred to in Psalm 3:1. David was surrounded and pursued by his enemies, who supported the rebellious Absalom. Psalm 5 includes a similar prayer from David. Psalm 91 echoes the confidence David expresses in Psalm 3:3–4, 8. Also in Psalm 4:1–5, David gives wise spiritual counsel. He counsels Absalom's followers to stop listening to Absalom's lies and to know that the Lord has set David apart for the role of Israel's king. In addition, David advises his own followers to avoid sinning, to offer sacrifices to the Lord, and to trust in him.

Psalm 4 begins with David's prayer in which he asks God for grace. Then he addresses men, likely his current enemies, urging them to shun lies and stop rebelling against God. David encourages his own followers to avoid sin. Instead, they are to search their hearts, offer sacrifices to the Lord, and trust in the Lord. Despite all the enmity Absalom and his men were hurling against David, David's heart is full of more joy than farmers experience when they have an abundant harvest. The psalm closes with David testifying to peaceful sleep that the Lord gives him by causing him to dwell safely.

Psalm 4 shares themes with Psalm 3. Psalm 3 refers to David's rising up in the morning, whereas Psalm 4 refers to his nighttime sleep. It seems both Psalm 3 and Psalm 4 were written after David and his followers had left Jerusalem and crossed the Jordan River. At the time, Absalom, David's son had usurped the throne (2 Samuel 15—18). Despite horrific circumstances, David exercised trust in the Lord, bringing him joy and peace. Psalm 5 also focuses on David's prayer when his enemies tried to destroy him. When Jesus' disciples were greatly troubled, He told them not to let their hearts be troubled but instead trust in His Father and in Him (John 14:1). He gave them His supernatural peace (John 14:27). Psalm 17, like Psalm 4, features David's urgent prayer for deliverance from his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.