Psalm 4:1-8:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 4:1-5

The title of the psalm acquaints us that David, having penned it by divine inspiration for the use of the church, delivered it to the chief musician, or master of the song, who (according to the divine appointment of psalmody made in his time, which he was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of) presided in that service. We have a particular account of the constitution, the modelling of the several classes of singers, each with a chief, and the share each bore in the work, 1 Chron.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness ,.... Or, "my righteous God" F8 אלהי צדקי . , who is righteous in his nature, ways, and works, the just Judge of the whole earth, who will do right; or "the vindicator of my righteousness", as the Syriac version renders it; that is, of his innocence and uprightness, which the Lord knew and was a witness of: and since he was his covenant God, he doubted not but he would bring it forth as the light, and favour his righteous cause, and do... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 4:1

Hear me when I call - No man has a right to expect God to hear him if he do not call. Indeed, how shall he be heard if he speak not? There are multitudes who expect the blessings of God as confidently as if they had prayed for them most fervently; and yet such people pray not at all! God of my righteousness - Whatever pardon, peace, holiness, or truth I possess, has come entirely from thyself. Thou art the God of my salvation, as thou art the God of my life. Thou hast enlarged me - I... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 In these words there is shown the faith of David, who, although brought to the uttermost distress, and indeed almost consumed by a long series of calamities, did not sink under his sorrow; nor was he so broken in heart as to be prevented from betaking himself to God his deliverer. By his praying, he testified, that when utterly deprived of all earthly succor, there yet remained for him hope in God. Moreover, he calls him the God of his righteousness, which is the same thing as if he had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 4:1

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness . Not "the God who imputes to me righteousness," as some render, but "the God who sees that I and my cause are righteous," and who wilt therefore certainly lend me aid. Thou hast enlarged me ; or, made room for me —"set me at ease" In the language of the Old Testament, "straits" and "narrowness" mean trouble and affliction; "room," "space," "enlargement," mean prosperity. David has experienced God's mercies in the past, and therefore looks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 4:1-5

A cry for deliverance. This psalm refers (according to some) to the same event as the previous psalm—that composed probably in the morning, and this in the evening, of the same day. We have in it— I. A CRY FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THE UPRIGHTEOUS PLOTS OF HIS ENEMIES . The appeal is based upon two facts. 1 . His relation and fellowship with the righteous God. Thou art my God, and the God of my righteous cause, and therefore thou wilt not leave me to the wicked... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

An evening song in perilous times, showing us the secret of happiness. It is not difficult to be cheerful when we have everything we desire. But when life seems to be a series of catastrophes, disappointments, and vexations, buoyancy of spirit is not so easily attained. If our lives were in peril every moment through rebellion at home and plots and snares around, few of us would be found capable, under such circumstances, of writing morning and evening hymns. Yet such were the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Quieting thoughts for a time of trouble. It is a mark of man's greatness that he can go out of himself. Some commune with nature, some with the great minds of the past, some with prophets and teachers of their own time. But the grandest thing is to commune with God. The evening is a fit time. Then we have rest; then we can retire from the stress and turmoil of the world, and in the secrecy of our hearts hold converse with God. Here we have some quieting thoughts for a time of trouble. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 4:1

Hear me when I call - When I pray. The word “hear” in such cases is always used in the sense of “listen to,” “hear favorably,” or “attend to;” hence, in the literal sense it is always true that God “hears” all that is said. The meaning is, “hear and answer me,” or grant me what I ask.O God of my righteousness - That is, O my righteous God. This is a common mode of expression in Hebrew. Thus, in Psalms 2:6, “hill of my holiness,” meaning “my holy hill;” Psalms 3:4, “his hill of holiness,”... read more

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