Psalm 4:1

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 Augustine quotes this Psalm as of special value, and worthy to be sung aloud before the whole world for an expression of Christian courage, and a testimony of the peace God can give in outward and inward trouble ( Conf. IX. 4). 'I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety'. James Melville quoted it, among others, when he was dying, 'This being done, he comforteth himself with sundrie speeches out of the Psalms, quhilk he rehearsit in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:1-8Psalms 3:1-8; Psalms 4:1-8 are a pair. They are similar in expression (my glory, there be many which say, I laid me down and slept) in the psalmist’s situation, and in structure (as indicated by the Selahs). But they need not be contemporaneous, nor need the superscription of Psalms 3:1-8 be extended to Psalms 4:1-8. Their tone is different, the fourth having little reference to the personal danger so acutely felt in Psalms 3:1-8 and being mainly a gentle, earnest remonstrance with... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 1. The cry to Jehovah (Psalms 4:1-3 ) 2. The warning to the enemies (Psalms 4:4-5 ) 3. The assurance of faith (Psalms 4:6-8 ) Psalms 4:1-3 . The fourth Psalm is closely connected with the third; the third is “a Morning Psalm” and the fourth “an Evening Hymn.” He calls God “God of my righteousness” and He knows that He will act in righteousness toward him, be gracious and hear prayer. Then the appeal to the sons of men, who love emptiness and seek after a lie. They should know... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 4:1

4:1 [{a} To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.] Hear me when I call, {b} O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in {c} distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.(a) Among those who were appointed to sing the psalms and to play on instruments, one was appointed chief to set the tune, and to begin: who had the charge because he was most excellent and he began this psalm on the instrument called Neginoth or in a tune so called.(b) You who are the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 1:0 True happiness is the theme of this psalm, whose author is unnamed. The negative side of true happiness is stated (Psalms 1:1 ), and then the positive (Psalms 1:2 ). Its reward follows (Psalms 1:3 ). Its nature and value are emphasized by a sharp contrast. Such a man is godly, his opposite ungodly (Psalms 1:4 ). The first is marked by stability, the second by instability (Psalms 1:4 ). The first has endless fruitfulness and blessing, the second has nothing and worse than nothing... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 [Note. This is the Evening Psalm, and probably it was composed at the same period as the preceding psalm. It is supposed that some of the expressions point to the period of the persecution of David by Saul; on the other hand, it is asserted that they are quite compatible with that of David's flight from Absalom. There are no imprecations upon his foes, a circumstance which is considered to point to Absalom rather than to Saul. This was one of the psalms repeated by Augustine at his... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 4:1

CONTENTS This Psalms opens with prayer, then an address showing the folly, as well as danger, of pursuing vanity; the close of the Psalm determines that the happiness of man must be alone found in the favor of God. To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David. Before I enter upon the Psalm itself I would beg the Reader's attention to the title of it. Some have thought that this Psalm was used in the temple service, and sung there. And they that have drawn this conclusion suppose also,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1

Unto the end. Or as St. Jerome renders it, victory to him that overcometh; which some understand of the chief musician; to whom they suppose the psalms, which bear that title, were given to be sung. We rather understand the psalms thus inscribed to refer to Christ, who is the end of the law, and the great Conqueror of death and hell; and to the New Testament. --- In verses, in carminibus. In the Hebrew, it is neginoth, supposed by some to be a musical instrument, with which this psalm was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 4:1-5

1-5 Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God. You have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be spoken with, let it not be unsaid. Examine them by serious self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon that which is... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 4:1-8

Evening Prayer of a Christian in Every Kind of Trouble. David, in his flight before Absalom, had come to Mahanaim, on the east side of Jordan, 2 Samuel 17:24-Ezekiel :. He had a number of faithful men with him, but the army of Absalom, recruited from all Israel, was much larger. In order, therefore, to stimulate his own courage and to revive the drooping spirits of his men. David wrote this hymn, which, on account of its divine inspiration, has become a song of consolation for all those who... read more

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