Every verse here opens — tap a number for what that one means.
1Hear 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.
2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Commentary
Psalm 4, explained
What Psalm 4 is saying
Psalm 4 is an evening prayer of trust, likely paired with Psalm 3 as a morning-evening sequence. The psalmist addresses both God and human opponents, using the term bene ish ('sons of men' / 'men of rank') to confront those who pursue vanity. The command to 'tremble and do not sin' (rigzu v'al-techeta'u) indicates righteous indignation channeled through self-examination on one's bed.
The background behind it
Attributed to David with musical direction 'for the director of music, with stringed instruments' (binginot), indicating its use in temple worship. The agricultural imagery of grain and new wine places it in an agrarian Israelite context.
Themes running underneath
The psalm contrasts the fleeting joy of material prosperity with the deep gladness (simchah) that comes from God's favor. The closing image of lying down in safety and peace forms an inclusio with Psalm 3's sleep motif, reinforcing trust as the foundation of rest.
Why it still matters
This psalm challenges the assumption that happiness comes from favorable circumstances, pointing instead to a joy rooted in God's presence that material abundance cannot replicate. It models evening self-examination as a spiritual discipline.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.