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Psalm 4

My Righteous God, Give Me Relief

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For the choir director. With stringed instruments. A psalm by David.

A Prayer to God

My righteous God, answer me when I call.
When I was under pressure, you gave me relief.
Be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

A Rebuke to Enemies

You people, how long will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love empty delusions? Interlude
How long will you pursue lies?
Know this: The Lord has set apart
    his favored one[a] for himself.
The Lord will hear when I call to him.

Advice to Friends

You may be upset, but do not sin.
When you are on your beds,
    speak to your heart, but remain silent. Interlude
Offer righteous sacrifices,
and trust in the Lord.
Many are saying, “Who can show us any good?”
Shine the light of your face on us, O Lord.

Closing Prayer

You have placed joy in my heart greater than the joy
    when grain and new wine are plentiful.
In complete peace I will lie down, and I will sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:3 The Hebrew word hasid refers to someone who receives and/or gives mercy. It is the most common title for a believer in the Psalms. Many translations use generic terms like devout, godly, or faithful. This translation uses favored when hasid refers primarily to a recipient of mercy and merciful when it refers primarily to a dispenser of mercy.

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)