Bible Commentaries
Psalms 4

Verses 1-8

Psalms 4:0

Psalms 4:1 (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.

Psalms 4:1 Word Study on “enlarged” Strong says the Hebrew word “enlarge” “rachab” ( רָחַב ) (H7337) is a primitive root that means, “to broaden.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 25 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “enlarge 18, wide 3, large 2, make room 2.”

Psalms 4:1 Comments - When we are faced with distressful situations, they seem to be bigger than we are. We often can see no way out at first. We sometimes feel unworthy to approach unto our God to deliver us from such a situation, but the Lord is the God of our righteousness. He makes us worthy. It is He who shows us mercy in the midst of our weakness when we do not feel worthy. He shows us a way out and gives us the strength to overcome. We feel a joy and fulfillment that we have trusted in the Lord. We feel bigger and stronger than we are because the Lord has made us strong to overcome.

Psalms 4:2 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.

Psalms 4:2 “O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame” - Comments - The word “glory” in Psalms 4:2 can refer to the office and anointing that the Lord had given to King David. These sons of men had despised David’s office by attempting to bring him shame. They had used lying and vain activity to fight against King David.

Psalms 4:2 “how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing” Comments - This included the seeking of idols, which are referred to as vanity.

DRC, “O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying ?”

Scripture Reference - Note a similar verse:

Isaiah 41:29, “Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.”

Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

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

Psalms 4:4 Word Study on “Stand in awe” BDB says the Hebrew word “stand in awe” ( רָגַז ) (H7264) means, “ tremble, quake, rage, quiver, be agitated, be excited, be perturbed.”

1. Qal - to quake, be disquieted, be excited, be perturbed

2. Hiphil - to cause to quake, disquiet, enrage, disturb

3. Hithpael - to excite oneself

The Enhanced Strong says this Hebrew word is used 41 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “ tremble 12, move 7, rage 5, shake 3, disquiet 3, troubled 3, quake 2, afraid 1, and misc. 5.”

Darby reads, “ Be moved with anger , and sin not; meditate in your own hearts upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”

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

Therefore, it is very likely that Paul, the Apostle, was referring to this passage of Scripture in Psalms 4:0 when he wrote Ephesians 4:26.

Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath”

Scripture Reference - Also note:

Psalms 4:8 says, “ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Psalms 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalms 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Psalms 4:6 “Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us” - Comments - Or, “look favorably upon us.” In this statement, David speaks a brief blessing upon these people. This phrase is viewed as a shorter version of the priestly blessing that the Lord commanded the priests to speak over the children of Israel. Many scholars believe that David had this blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 in mind.

Numbers 6:23-27, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee , and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

Psalms 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

Psalms 4:7 Comments - When David blesses his enemies (Psalms 4:6), he himself receives the same anointing that he has prayed for others to receive. This gladness of heart is the outward manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.