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Psalm 4:2 How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah
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How long will you love delusions and seek false gods<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How long, O you sons of men, <i>Will you turn</i> my glory to shame? <i>How long</i> will you love worthlessness <i>And</i> seek falsehood? Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You sons of man, how long will my honor be <i>treated as</i> an insult? <i>How long</i> will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? <i>How long</i> will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />O sons of men, how long will my glory become a reproach? <i>How long</i> will you love what is worthless and seek falsehood? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />O sons of men, how long will my honor <i>and</i> glory be [turned into] shame? <i>How long</i> will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception <i>and</i> lies? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How long will you people refuse to respect me? You love foolish things, and you run after what is worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You important people, how long are you going to insult my honor? How long are you going to love what is empty and seek what is a lie? [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How long will you people insult me? How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You people, how long will you malign my reputation? How long will you love what is vain and what is false? Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You sons of man, how long will you shame my honor, love what is worthless, chase after a lie? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Sons of men! Until when [is] my glory for shame? You love a vain thing, you seek a lie. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Sons of men! till when is my glory for shame? Ye love a vain thing, ye seek a lie. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Sons of man, how long mine honor for shame? Ye will love emptiness, ye will seek falsehood. Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 4:3>Sons of men, how long will you be dull in heart, so that whatever you love is in vain, and whatever you seek is false?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How long, O people, will you be hard of heart? Why do you love what is worthless, chase after lies? <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Men, how long will you obscure my glory? how long will you love vanity? do you want deception forever?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Sons of men, how long will you obscure my honor, love emptiness and seek lies: forever?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be put to shame, In that ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />O ye sons on men, how long <i>will ye be</i> slow of heart? wherefore do ye love vanity, and seek falsehood? Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=206" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/4.htm">Answer Me When I Call!</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">How long,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">O men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3519.htm" title="3519: ḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Rarely kabod; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness.">will my honor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3639.htm" title="3639: liḵ·lim·māh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Insult, reproach, ignominy. From kalam; disgrace.">be maligned?</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: te·’ĕ·hā·ḇūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">How long will you love</a> <a href="/hebrew/7385.htm" title="7385: rîq (N-ms) -- Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain. From ruwq; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain.">vanity</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: tə·ḇaq·šū (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">and seek after</a> <a href="/hebrew/3577.htm" title="3577: ḵā·zāḇ (N-ms) -- A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing. From kazab; falsehood; literally or figuratively.">lies?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a></span><br />Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a></span><br />Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-13.htm">Isaiah 57:13</a></span><br />When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a></span><br />Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a></span><br />“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a></span><br />He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Isaiah 59:4</a></span><br />No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-3.htm">Micah 6:3</a></span><br />‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a></span><br />Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a></span><br />They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.</p><p class="hdg">O</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></b></br> My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-1.htm">Psalm 58:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:11</a></b></br> Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.</p><p class="hdg">how</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/72-2.htm">Psalm 72:2</a></b></br> He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-3.htm">Exodus 10:3</a></b></br> And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Numbers 14:11</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?</p><p class="hdg">my glory</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/3-3.htm">Psalm 3:3</a></b></br> But thou, O LORD, <i>art</i> a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/14-6.htm">Psalm 14:6</a></b></br> Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD <i>is</i> his refuge.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Psalm 106:20</a></b></br> Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.</p><p class="hdg">love</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1</a></b></br> Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a></b></br> And turn ye not aside: for <i>then should ye go</i> after vain <i>things</i>, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they <i>are</i> vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Isaiah 59:4</a></b></br> None calleth for justice, nor <i>any</i> pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.</p><p class="hdg">leasing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Psalm 5:6</a></b></br> Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Psalm 58:3</a></b></br> The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/63-11.htm">Psalm 63:11</a></b></br> But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Aim</a> <a href="/job/15-35.htm">Deception</a> <a href="/matthew/13-22.htm">Delusions</a> <a href="/ezra/4-14.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/job/31-5.htm">False.</a> <a href="/job/36-4.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/psalms/3-3.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/job/40-10.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/job/38-40.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/job/39-13.htm">Love</a> <a href="/job/27-6.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/job/23-9.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/psalms/3-8.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/job/36-14.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/job/36-15.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/job/39-22.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/job/42-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/2-5.htm">Words</a> <a href="/job/34-18.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/21-12.htm">Aim</a> <a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Deception</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Delusions</a> <a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/psalms/7-5.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/psalms/7-5.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/23-2.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">Love</a> <a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/psalms/9-10.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/psalms/4-4.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/psalms/6-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/5-1.htm">Words</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/4-1.htm">David prays for audience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">He reproves and exhorts his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Man's happiness is in God's favor</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>How long, O men, will my honor be maligned?</b><br>This phrase reflects a lament and a plea from the psalmist, traditionally understood to be King David. The "honor" mentioned here can be interpreted as David's reputation or the glory of God that he represents as the anointed king. In the historical context, David often faced opposition and slander from his enemies, both within Israel and from surrounding nations. This question underscores the persistence of human sinfulness and rebellion against God's chosen leaders. Theologically, it echoes the broader biblical theme of the righteous suffering unjustly, a motif seen throughout the Psalms and in the life of Jesus Christ, who was also maligned and rejected by men (<a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>).<p><b>How long will you love vanity and seek after lies?</b><br>The "vanity" here refers to the emptiness and futility of pursuing things that are ultimately worthless or deceptive. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, this could include idolatry, false gods, or the pursuit of wealth and power at the expense of righteousness. The phrase "seek after lies" suggests a deliberate choice to embrace falsehoods, whether in the form of false prophets, deceitful practices, or personal dishonesty. This reflects a common biblical warning against the dangers of turning away from God's truth, as seen in the prophets' rebukes of Israel's unfaithfulness (<a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5</a>). Theologically, it points to the human tendency to reject God's truth, a theme that is also addressed in the New Testament (<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a>).<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often understood as a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. In the context of this verse, it serves as a moment to contemplate the seriousness of the questions posed and the condition of the human heart. It encourages a pause for meditation on the contrast between God's truth and human deceit, and the call to repentance and alignment with God's will. This reflective pause is a reminder of the importance of internalizing the message and allowing it to transform one's life, a principle that is central to the practice of biblical meditation (<a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Psalm 1:2</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David is expressing a lament and a plea for justice against those who malign his honor.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/men.htm">Men</a></b><br>The term "men" here refers to those who are opposing David, possibly his enemies or those within his own community who are spreading falsehoods.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/selah.htm">Selah</a></b><br>A term used frequently in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or musical interlude.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_vanity_and_lies.htm">The Danger of Vanity and Lies</a></b><br>Vanity and falsehood are not just personal failings but can lead to the destruction of community and relationships. Believers are called to seek truth and honor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honor.htm">The Importance of Honor</a></b><br>In a world that often values success over integrity, Christians are reminded to uphold honor and righteousness, even when maligned by others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_and_pause.htm">Reflection and Pause (Selah)</a></b><br>Taking time to pause and reflect on God's truth and promises can provide strength and perspective in times of opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>When faced with false accusations or slander, believers can trust that God sees and will ultimately bring justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_4_2__who_are_the_'sons_of_men'.htm">Psalm 4:2: How do we verify who “sons of men” refers to historically, and is there archaeological evidence linking this phrase to a specific group or time period? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_8_with_harsh_judgments.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 8's depiction of a caring God with other biblical passages that portray divine indifference or harsh judgment toward humans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'raise_him_up'.htm">How can I engage in a guided Christian prayer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_15_4_clash_with_matthew_5_44.htm">Psalm 15:4 endorses despising the vile while honoring the godly; does this clash with New Testament commands to love enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2)<span class= "bld">Sons of men.</span>--A literal rendering of a Hebrew phrase generally interpreted as "men of high degree." Luther translates "gentlemen" (see <a href="/psalms/49-2.htm" title="Both low and high, rich and poor, together.">Psalm 49:2</a>), where it is "high," as contrasted with "low." (Comp. <a href="/psalms/62-9.htm" title="Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.">Psalm 62:9</a>, "men of high degree.")<p><span class= "bld">How long?</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">how long to shame my glory? </span>which, after the analogy of <a href="/psalms/37-26.htm" title="He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.">Psalm 37:26</a>, "his seed is for a blessing," must mean <span class= "ital">How long shall my glory be for shame </span>(<span class= "ital">opprobrio</span>)<span class= "ital">? </span>The LXX. and Vulg. follow a different and probably correct reading: "How long will ye be heavy (or slow) of heart? "They also indicate that an interrogative has dropped out before the second clause, so that it is rightly supplied by the Authorised Version.<p><span class= "bld">Seek after.</span>--In Hebrew the intensive conjugation, <span class= "ital">to seek earnestly, </span>or <span class= "ital">again and again.</span><p><span class= "bld">Leasing</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, <span class= "ital">lying. </span>(Comp. <a href="/psalms/4-6.htm" title="There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance on us.">Psalm 4:6</a>.) So in Wycliffe's New Testament: "Whanne he speketh leesing, he speketh of his own; for he is a lere, and is fader of it" (<a href="/john/8-44.htm" title="You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.">John 8:44</a>). "Lesyngmongers" (<a href="/1_timothy/1-10.htm" title="For fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for enslavers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;">1Timothy 1:10</a>). Chaucer uses the word; and it is common in <span class= "ital">Piers Ploughman. </span>Shakespeare also knows the word:-- . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><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>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">How long,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O men,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will my honor</span><br /><span class="heb">כְבוֹדִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3519.htm">Strong's 3519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Weight, splendor, copiousness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be maligned?</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֭כְלִמָּה</span> <span class="translit">(liḵ·lim·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3639.htm">Strong's 3639: </a> </span><span class="str2">Insult, reproach, ignominy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How long will you love</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן</span> <span class="translit">(te·’ĕ·hā·ḇūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">vanity</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֑יק</span> <span class="translit">(rîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7385.htm">Strong's 7385: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and seek after</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḇaq·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lies?</span><br /><span class="heb">כָזָ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·zāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3577.htm">Strong's 3577: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 4:2 You sons of men how long shall (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 4:3" /></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><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>