Psalm 4:3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 4:1-8

This is an evening hymn, and though no occasion is mentioned it may perhaps be referred, like Psalms 3 (its natural companion), to the time of Absalom’s revolt, but to a somewhat later stage in the course of events, when the peril had largely passed away. It contains David’s appeal to God (Psalms 4:1), his appeal to his enemies (Psalms 4:2-5), and his own resolve (Psalms 4:6-8).Title.—(RV) ’For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments (Neginoth).’1. God of my righteousness] The God who is on... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 4:3

(3) But know.—It is the privilege of true and heroic natures to rise to a consciousness of their strength and dignity in the hour of peril, and when the victims of unjust persecution. Besides his innate greatness, David has a grandeur and dignity, derived from his deep sense of the covenant between God and His anointed, and his own imperfect but sincere endeavour to act worthily the part of God’s vice-regent on earth. His selection by Jehovah is an unanswerable reply to his calumniators, and... read more

William Nicoll

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 4:3

4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is {f} godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.(f) A king who walks in his vocation. 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 4:3

What a beautiful view have we in this verse in reference to the person of Jesus, the Father's beloved, the Father's holy one, the Father's only one, in whom his soul delighteth. Yes! God the Father will hear the cry of every poor sinner, that gives honour to God's own appointment in looking unto him, on whom the Father is always looking. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:3

O. This is a sort of manifesto to the rebels; and an invitation for them to return to their duty, desisting from setting up a false king, or a lie. (Haydock) --- Dull. Hebrew, "my glory to shame." But the reading of the Septuagint seems to preferable, (Calmet) as the rhyme in Hebrew is now lost, (Fourmont) and the text has been altered (Houbigant) by an injudicious junction of words, and by using c for b. In ancient manuscripts, the words were all joined together, (Berthier) as may be seen... read more

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