Psalms 4–8
Psalm 4:1-8
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Psa.4.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנגינות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 3:1 (structural): Both verses are superscriptions: they function as liturgical/musical headings and identify the psalm as Davidic—serving the same structural role in the psalm collection.
- Psalm 5:1 (structural): Like Ps 4:1, this heading gives musical/directional instruction (for the leader/for an instrument) and names David as author, showing a common performance-oriented superscription formula.
- Psalm 23:1 (structural): Shares the simple authorship formula “A Psalm of David,” illustrating the recurring attribution of many psalms to David and the canonical practice of authorial superscription.
- 1 Chronicles 16:7 (thematic): Describes David’s establishment of sung praise and appointed musicians (Asaph and brethren) — a historical/functional parallel to the musical-liturgical context implied by psalm superscriptions like Ps 4:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the leader; with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
- For the leader; with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
Psa.4.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בקראי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ענני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צדקי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- בצר: PREP
- הרחבת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- חנני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ושמע: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- תפלתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1s
Parallels
- Ps.118:5 (verbal): Both speak of calling in distress and God answering by ‘setting me in a broad place’ (Hebrew imagery of release/safety mirrors Ps. 4:2's ‘you made room for me in distress’).
- Ps.3:4 (verbal): Similar cry-and-response pattern: the psalmist calls to the LORD and is answered (both emphasize immediate divine hearing/responding to a plea).
- Ps.18:6 (verbal): Uses the same motif of calling in distress and God’s audible response; language and situation (deliverance in trouble) parallel Psalm 4:2.
- Ps.86:7 (thematic): Expresses the same trust theme — calling to God in trouble because God answers — echoing Ps. 4:2’s appeal for mercy and listening.
- Jonah 2:2 (allusion): Jonah’s prayer begins ‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me,’ reflecting the common biblical prayer motif found in Ps. 4:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! In my distress you made room for me; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
- Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! In distress you made room for me; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
Psa.4.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- מה: PRON,int
- כבודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:1cs
- לכלמה: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תאהבון: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- ריק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תבקשו: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- כזב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Psalm 12:2-4 (verbal): Complains about flattering lips and deceitful speech—parallels the denunciation of people who ‘love emptiness’ and ‘seek lies’ (shared vocabulary and concern with falsehood).
- Jeremiah 7:8-11 (allusion): Condemns trusting in ‘lying words’ and false confidence in cultic forms—echoes the Psalm’s rebuke of those who pursue vanity and falsehood instead of God.
- Isaiah 29:13 (thematic): Speaks of outward worship and words that are ‘vain’ because the heart is far from God—connects to the Psalm’s contrast between divine glory and humanity’s love of emptiness and lies.
- Ecclesiastes 1:2 (thematic): ‘Vanity of vanities…’ thematically parallels the Psalm’s charge that people love emptiness/vanity (ריק) and pursue what is ultimately futile and false.
Alternative generated candidates
- O people—how long will my honor be turned to shame? How long will you love what is vain, and seek after falsehood? Selah.
- Men—how long will you turn my honor into shame? Why do you love what is worthless and seek after lies? Selah.
Psa.4.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ודעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,NA,pl
- כי: CONJ
- הפלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חסיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ישמע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בקראי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,*,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 34:15 (verbal): Close verbal parallel: 'The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry' echoes Ps 4:4's affirmation that the LORD hears the godly when they call.
- Psalm 145:19 (thematic): Thematic parallel: God hears the cry of those who fear him and fulfills their desires, similar to Ps 4:4's assurance that the LORD hears the faithful.
- Psalm 116:1-2 (verbal): Verbal/theme overlap: 'I love the LORD, for he heard my voice… because he inclined his ear to me' parallels the claim that the LORD hears the psalmist's call.
- Psalm 18:6 (thematic): Thematic parallel: the psalmist's cry to the LORD in distress and the LORD's hearing of that cry reflects the same trust in divine hearing expressed in Ps 4:4.
- 1 Peter 3:12 (quotation): New Testament echo/quotation: 'For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer' echoes the Psalmic assertion that God hears the righteous when they call.
Alternative generated candidates
- Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.
- Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.
Psa.4.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רגזו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תחטאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בלבבכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- משכבכם: NOUN,m,sg,poss,2,m,pl
- ודמו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Ephesians 4:26 (quotation): Paul echoes the exact injunction 'Be angry and do not sin,' using the Psalms' formula to instruct Christian conduct regarding anger.
- James 1:19 (thematic): Both passages counsel restraint in speech and passion—urging control of anger and a calm disposition (be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger).
- Psalm 63:6 (verbal): Shares the image of nocturnal meditation 'on my bed I remember/meditate,' paralleling 'ponder in your heart on your bed' as an instruction to private reflection at night.
- Psalm 131:2 (thematic): Both call for inner calm and silence (quieting the soul, being still), resonating with the command to 'be still' or 'be silent' after anger is checked.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be angry—and do not sin. Meditate in your hearts upon your beds, and be still. Selah.
- Be angry—yet do not sin; ponder in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa.4.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- זבחו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- זבחי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובטחו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Proverbs 21:3 (verbal): Affirms that doing righteousness and justice is better than sacrifice, echoing the idea of 'sacrifices of righteousness' and prioritizing right conduct over ritual.
- Hosea 6:6 (allusion): God declares he desires steadfast love/knowledge rather than sacrifice—parallel emphasis on authentic devotion and trust in God rather than mere ritual offerings.
- Isaiah 1:11-17 (thematic): Isaiah condemns empty sacrifices and calls for justice, cleansing, and right action, corresponding to the Psalm's call to offer righteous sacrifice and rely on the LORD.
- Matthew 9:13 (cf. 12:7) (quotation): Jesus quotes Hosea ('I desire mercy, not sacrifice') to stress mercy and righteousness over ritual—New Testament echo of the Psalm's injunction to offer right sacrifices and trust God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the LORD.
- Offer the sacrifices of righteousness; trust in the LORD.
Psa.4.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יראנו: VERB,hif,impf,3,ms
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- נסה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- אור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ps.4:6 (structural): Immediate context/repetition — the same complaint/question “Who will show us good?” appears in the neighboring verse, framing the petition for God’s face to shine.
- Num.6:25-26 (verbal): Phrases nearly identical to the priestly blessing: “The LORD make his face shine upon you…”, linking the request for God’s shining face with blessing and favor.
- Ps.67:1 (verbal): “May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us” — a close verbal parallel asking for God’s face to shine as the source of blessing.
- Ps.80:3 (thematic): A communal plea: “Restore us, O God; cause your face to shine, that we may be saved,” connecting God’s shining face with restoration and salvation.
- Ps.31:16 (verbal): “Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love” — a personal petition using the same imagery of God’s face/ light bringing rescue and favor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many say, “Who will show us good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD!
- Many say, 'Who will show us good?' Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
Psa.4.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שמחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בלבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- מעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דגנם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ותירושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- רבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ps.16:11 (thematic): Both affirm that joy comes from God—'you make known the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy' parallels 'You have put joy in my heart.'
- Ps.104:14-15 (verbal): Speaks of God causing grain and wine to grow and explicitly that 'wine makes glad the heart of man,' echoing the linkage of grain/new wine with joy.
- Prov.3:10 (verbal): Uses agricultural abundance imagery—'your barns will be filled... your vats will overflow with wine'—paralleling the psalm's reference to increased grain and wine as blessings.
- Ps.30:11-12 (thematic): Describes God turning mourning into dancing and giving a garment of praise—another expression of God-given joy supplanting distress, similar to joy placed in the heart here.
- Ps.65:11 (thematic): Speaks of God 'crowning the year with your bounty' and blessing the produce—paralleling the theme of divine bestowal of agricultural abundance that brings joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.
- You have put more joy in my heart than when their grain and wine abound.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; in distress you made room for me. Be gracious to me; hear my prayer.
O sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and seek after lies? Selah.
Know, then, that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your hearts on your beds, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness; trust in the LORD.
Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!
You have put joy in my heart—more than when their grain and new wine abound.