Psalms 4

Answer me when I call, God who clears my name. When I was hemmed in, you gave me room. Be kind to me, and hear my prayer.

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.

Note"God who clears my name" translates a Hebrew phrase, "God of my righteousness", the God who declares the speaker to be in the right, as a judge would rule in a person's favor. The next line uses a standard Hebrew image in which trouble is a cramped, narrow place and rescue is being given wide open space; the King James "thou hast enlarged me" is that same picture.

2You people, how long will you turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is empty and go chasing after lies? Selah.

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.

NoteThe Hebrew addresses "sons of a man," a phrase that often means men of rank or influence rather than people in general. ("Selah" is a word left untranslated because nobody knows what it means; it appears mostly in the Psalms, usually at a break in the thought, and is generally taken as a direction to the musicians or the congregation.) The King James "leasing" is an old English word for lying, unrelated to the modern financial term.

3But know this: the LORD has set apart for himself the person who is faithful to him. The LORD will hear when I call to him.

3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

NoteThe word behind "faithful to him" is *hasid*, from the Hebrew word for steadfast loyal love; it describes someone bound to God in that kind of committed loyalty, not simply someone who behaves well.

4Tremble, and do not sin. On your bed, talk it over in your own heart, and be still. Selah.

4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

NoteThe Hebrew verb covers any violent inward agitation and can mean either "tremble with fear" or "shake with anger"; ancient translators into Greek took it as "be angry," and both readings are still defended. "Talk it over in your own heart" renders an idiom for silent inward speech, what we would call thinking something through.

5Offer the sacrifices that are right, and put your trust in the LORD.

5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

NoteSacrifices were animals or produce brought to the sanctuary and offered on the altar, the ordinary form of worship in ancient Israel. The Hebrew phrase "sacrifices of righteousness" is open: it can mean offerings made correctly according to the rules, or offerings made by people whose conduct matches the ritual.

6There are many who say, "Who will show us anything good?" LORD, let the light of your face shine on us.

6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

NoteA face turned toward you and shining is a Hebrew idiom for favor and welcome, the opposite of a face turned away; the same wording appears in the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:25.

7You have put more joy in my heart than other people have when their grain and their new wine come in full.

7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

NoteGrain and new wine were the two staple harvests of the year and stand together as shorthand for prosperity. "New wine" is the freshly pressed juice of the new vintage, associated with the celebration at harvest time.

8I will lie down and sleep in peace, because you alone, LORD, keep me safe.

8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.