Psalm 4

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4:1 Hear 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.
4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.



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From the Great Bible, 1540 edition (known as Cranmer's Bible). Set in the Book of Common Prayer, 1662, for Morning Prayer on the 1st day of the month.

PSALM 4. Cum invocarem.

1. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour, and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood?
3. Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6. There be many that say, Who will show us any good?
7. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
8. Thou hast put gladness in my heart; yea, more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.
9. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

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From the Vulgate:

1. Invocante me exaudi me Deus iustitiae meae in tribulatione dilatasti mihi miserere mei et exaudi orationem meam
2. Filii viri usquequo incliti mei ignominiose diligitis vanitatem quaerentes mendacium semper
3. Et cognoscite quoniam mirabilem reddidit Dominus sanctum suum Dominus exaudiet cum clamavero ad eum
4. Irascimini et nolite peccare loquimini in cordibus vestris super cubilia vestra et tacete semper
5. Sacrificate sacrificium iustitiae et fidite in Domino multi dicunt quis ostendit nobis bonum
6. Leva super nos lucem vultus tui Domine dedisti laetitiam in corde meo
7. In tempore frumentum et vinum eorum multiplicata sunt
8. In pace simul requiescam et dormiam
9. Quia tu Domine specialiter securum habitare fecisti me

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The psalm in either case may be followed by the Gloria Patri.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 4

Overview:
The children of men proved, and the happiness of godly people.
(1-5) God's favour is happiness. (6-8)

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
good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you
turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to
what you have done in the Day; particularly what you have done
amiss, that you may repent of it. When you awake in the night,
meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace.
Upon a sick-Bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be
still. When you have asked Conscience a question, be serious, be
silent, wait for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse Sin.
All confidence must be placed On God's free Grace, who justifies
the true convert, By Faith only: therefore, after commanding the
sacrifices of Righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust
in the Lord.

6-8 Worldly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all
they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good
meat, good Drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are
all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most men, but a
gracious soul will not be Put off So. Lord, let us have thy
favour, and let us know that we have it, we desire No more; let
us be satisfied of thy loving-kindness, and will be satisfied
with it. Many inquire after happiness, but David had found it.
When God puts Grace in the Heart, he puts gladness in the Heart.
Thus comforted, he pitied, but neither envied nor feared the
most prosperous sinner. He commits all his affairs to God, and
is prepared to welcome his holy will. But Salvation is in Christ
alone; where will those appear who despise him as their
Mediator, and revile him in his disciples? May they stand in
awe, and No longer Sin against the only remedy.