Psalm 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

NIV: Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

NASB: Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

CSB: Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah

NLT: Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude

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

NKJV: Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

Some Bible teachers believe this verse and the next (Psalm 4:5) offer counsel to Absalom's men, David's enemies (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Verses 2 and 3 appear to be spoken to those foes, so this is possible (Psalm 4:2–3). Other interpreters apply verses 4 and 5 to David's followers. It seems more likely David is addressing his own men since they'd be more likely to heed his call to be in a right relationship with God. That would include remaining calm in the face of the opposition they faced from David's enemies (Psalm 3:1).

David advises "Be angry, and do not sin." This is a classic example of words being difficult to translate easily from one language to another. The Hebrew root word translated as "be angry" here is ragaz, which most literally means "to tremble, shake, quake, or be agitated." Paul, citing the Septuagint Greek translation of this Psalm, also refers to the idea of anger (Ephesians 4:26). The meaning as implied in Psalm 4 is not merely about out-of-control wrath or fury. Anger, itself, is not a sin—but that emotion must be carefully controlled, as David recommends here.

David's men could easily let anger control their actions as they thought about their aggressors. Even righteous anger is not meant to lead us towards sin. Instead of risking sin, or giving in to it, David's men are advised to ponder their ways as they lie in bed and to be calm. Bedtime is a good time to search our hearts and confess the sins of the day. Doing so will help us enjoy a peaceful night's sleep instead of tossing and turning in an angry or worried state of mind.

If believers honor and trust in God, they do not need to be afraid of aggressive individuals or threatening circumstances. In Psalm 27:1 David proclaims, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

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.