CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Psalm 4 Pulpit Commentary</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/psalms/4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/psalms/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">Pulpit Commentary</a> > Psalm 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../psalms/3.htm" title="Psalm 3">◄</a> Psalm 4 <a href="../psalms/5.htm" title="Psalm 5">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Pulpit Commentary</div><div class="chap"><div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-1.htm">Psalm 4:1</a></div><div class="verse"><<To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.>> Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me <i>when I was</i> in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness</span>. Not "the God who imputes to me righteousness," as some render, but "the God who sees that I and my cause are righteous," and who wilt therefore certainly lend me aid. <span class="cmt_word">Thou hast enlarged me</span>; or, <span class="accented">made room for me</span> - "set me at ease" In the language of the Old Testament, "straits" and "narrowness" mean trouble and affliction; "room," "space," "enlargement," mean prosperity. David has experienced God's mercies in the past, and therefore looks for them in the future (comp. <a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Psalm 3:7</a>). When I woe in distress; literally, in [<span class="accented">my</span>] <span class="accented">distress. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.</span> This is David's usual cry, repeated in a hundred varied forms throughout the Psalms (see <a href="/psalms/5-2.htm">Psalm 5:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/6-2.htm">Psalm 6:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Psalm 9:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/27-7.htm">Psalm 27:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/30-10.htm">Psalm 30:10</a>, etc.). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2</a></div><div class="verse">O ye sons of men, how long <i>will ye turn</i> my glory into shame? <i>how long</i> will ye love vanity, <i>and</i> seek after leasing? Selah.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">O ye sons of men</span>. "Sons of men " - <span class="accented">beney ish</span> - is not a mere periphrasis for "men." It is a title of some honour and dignity. Kay translates, "sons of the brave;" but that is scarcely the meaning. The phrase is rather equivalent to our "sirs" ('Speaker's Commentary.'). <span class="cmt_word">How long will ye turn my glory into shame?</span> By your misconduct. See the clause which follows. The appeal is, perhaps, to Joab, Abishai, and others of David s own party, whoso proceedings were a disgrace to his reign, and tended to bring their master to shame rather than to honour. <span class="cmt_word">How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> after lying. Joab's treachery and falsehood were notorious (<a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/20-8.htm">2 Samuel 20:8-10</a>). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-3.htm">Psalm 4:3</a></div><div class="verse">But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.</span> The best order of the words would be, "Know that the Lord <span class="accented">hath set apart for himself</span> the man that is godly." The godly man is not contaminated by the evil doings of those who associate with him, and profess to act in his interest, if he neither authorizes nor condones their conduct. David had protested against Joab's proceedings on one occasion (<a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">2 Samuel 3:28</a>), and never at any time pardoned them (<a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5, 6</a>). The Lord will hear when I call unto him Although I am disgraced (Ver. 2), resisted, in many ways brought to shame, by you, yet still I am God's servant, set apart to his service, and therefore 1 shall be heard by him. He will hearken to and grant my prayer. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-4.htm">Psalm 4:4</a></div><div class="verse">Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Stand in awe, and sin not</span>. The LXX. render, <span class="greek">Ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἀμαρτάνετε</span>, "Be ye angry, and sin not;" and this meaning is preferred by Dr. Kay, Hengstenberg, and ethers. It may also seem to have the sanction of St. Paul in <a href="/ephesians/4-26.htm">Ephesians 4:26</a>. If we adopt it, we must suppose the exhortation to be addressed mainly to David's own followers, who are warned against <span class="accented">excessive</span> anger and its natural result, undue violence (comp. <a href="/2_samuel/16-9.htm">2 Samuel 16:9</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/18-11.htm">2 Samuel 18:11, 14</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/19-21.htm">2 Samuel 19:21</a>, etc<span class="cmt_word">.). Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still</span> (compare St. Paul's injunction, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath"). Anger cools if a little time be suffered to pass - if a night be allowed for reflection, and no action be taken till the morrow, <span class="greek">Παύει γὰρ ὀργὴγ ὁ</span> <span class="greek">χρόνος</span> (Aristotle). Selah. The second strophe being ended, another "pause" is to take place, during which the psalmist's exhortation may be made the subject of consideration. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-5.htm">Psalm 4:5</a></div><div class="verse">Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Offer the sacrifices of righteousness</span>. Sacrifices of victims are scarcely meant; certainly not, if the time of the composition is that of David's exile, since victims could be offered nowhere but at Jerusalem. We may suppose a reference to those sacrifices which are most truly "sacrifices of righteousness," vie. "a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart," which God "will not despise" (<a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17</a><span class="cmt_word">). And put your trust in the Lord.</span> Sacrifice without faith is vain. Even "sacrifices of righteousness," to be of any service, must be accompanied by trust in the Lord. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Psalm 4:6</a></div><div class="verse"><i>There be</i> many that say, Who will shew us <i>any</i> good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - There be many that say, <span class="cmt_word">Who will show us any good?</span> Pessimists are numerous in all ages. Among David's adherents in his times of distress (ver. 1) would be many who doubted and desponded, anticipating nothing but continued suffering and misfortune. Theft would ask the question of the text. Or the scope may be wider. Men are always seeking for good, but not knowing what their true good is. David points it out to them. It is to have the light of God's countenance shining on them. Lord, lift thou up, etc.; compare the form of Levitical benediction (<a href="/numbers/6-24.htm">Numbers 6:24-26</a>), and see also <a href="/psalms/31-15.htm">Psalm 31:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/80-3.htm">Psalm 80:3, 7, 19</a>. If we bask in the sunshine of God's favour, there is nothing more needed for happiness. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-7.htm">Psalm 4:7</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time <i>that</i> their corn and their wine increased.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou hast put gladness in my heart</span>. David is an example to the de-spending ones. Notwithstanding his sufferings and calamities, God has looked on him, and so "put gladness in his heart" - a gladness which far exceeds that of his adversaries. Though they are in prosperity, and have their corn and wine increased, and enjoy all the "outward material blessings promised to Israel - the wheat and the grape - for a supply of which he is indebted to the generosity of friends" (Kay), yet he would not change places with them. The spiritual joy which fills his own heart is preferable to any amount of material comforts and pleasures. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Psalm 4:8</a></div><div class="verse">I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/3-5.htm">Psalm 3:5</a>). His confidence in God enables David to lay himself down calmly and tranquilly to sleep, whatever dangers threaten him. He seeks his couch, and <span class="accented">at once</span> (<span class="hebrew">יחדּו</span>) slumber visits him. No anxious thoughts keep him tossing on his bed for hours<span class="cmt_word">. For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety</span>. David has a satisfaction in thinking that it is God only who watches over him. All other help would be vain, superfluous. God alone brought Israel through the wilderness (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-12.htm">Deuteronomy 32:12</a>); God alone established Israel in Canaan (<a href="/psalms/44-2.htm">Psalm 44:2, 3</a>). David feels that he needs no second helper and protector. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> </div></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010 by <a href="//biblesoft.com">BibleSoft, inc.</a>, Used by permission<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../psalms/3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../psalms/5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/psalms/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><br /><br /></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <div id="bot"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhpar.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></body></html>